What happens if the body isn embalmed?
Immediately upon death, various enzymes and bacteria, such as clostridium perfringens, begin to break down a corpse. Many of these bacteria produce toxins that break down tissue and gasses that cause extreme swelling. Very delicate skin and open “sores” called skin slip develops. Refrigeration slows down this process as does embalming, so the sooner the embalming is done, the better. Embalming chemicals work to kill these bacteria and arrest the enzymes.
