The Absence of Embalming in Brazil, and its Potential Impacts on the Grieving Process: A Scoping Literature Review

Authors: Joao PozziArcaro, David Penepent, Darien Cain

SUNY Campus: SUNY Canton

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: UU 111

Presentation #: 74

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: In standard Brazilian funeral practices, embalming practices and procedures are often excluded. This contrasts with its widespread practice in the United States, where it is considered a standard practice of the funeral services industry. In this paper, a scoping review of the literature on Brazilian funeral practices, the lack of embalming, and the social and cultural effects on the grieving process is presented. The literature explores how the bereaved connect with their grief in the absence of a preserved visual representation of their deceased loved ones. The findings indicate that the absence of embalming may affect the way individuals process grief, potentially limiting the ability to create a peaceful, lasting visual memory of the deceased. The study suggests that the incorporation of embalming practices could offer emotional benefits, facilitating a more serene farewell and supporting the overall grieving and healing process by providing the bereaved with a visual representation that would function as a facilitating factor, enhancing the journey toward better acceptance of grief and, by extension, nurturing the healing process.