Learning More About Formalin Use on the Deceased: Is It Permitted?

As its name suggests, formalin for the deceased is a preservative used to preserve bodies. Formalin, based on the compound formaldehyde, was first discovered by Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov, a chemist from Russia.

In this article, we will discuss various matters concerning body preservatives, from what formalin for body preservation is, to the history of body preservation, and the Islamic view on preserving the deceased.

What Is Formalin for Preserving the Deceased?

Formalin is a chemical with a pungent odor that is used as a substance to preserve bodies or the deceased. According to Zulham (2009), the purpose of preserving a body is to keep it in good condition and prevent decomposition.

According to Atmadja (2002), preserving a body is very effective when formalin is used, but this substance has a strong odor that can cause irritation of the respiratory tract, nausea, and inflammation of the eye membranes for anyone who inhales it.

You should know that formalin is classified as a hazardous organic chemical. According to Eells, et al. (1981), formalin is reactive and evaporates easily at room temperature. Even so, new formalin-based materials without a strong odor now exist.

This is based on research by Turan et al. (2016), which succeeded in discovering a new body preservative material that does not produce a strong odor. The preservative consists of a mixture of ethanol, liquid soap, and citric acid.

The History of Body Preservation

Below are some key points in the history of body preservation up to the discovery of effective preservatives.

1. Body Preservation Using Desiccation

Long before formalin existed, the practice of preserving bodies dates back to ancient times. Egypt was the first country to preserve bodies, around 3,200 BC (Before Christ).

This preservation was done because of the complexity of burials in the early period of 5,000–6,000 BC. During that time, the human population grew and the deceased accumulated with minimal decomposition.

Preserved bodies became known as mummies. However, the process of turning bodies into mummies did not use formalin, but desiccation, the process of drying the body with heat or cold.

2. Body Preservation Using Heat and Mercury

Another method of preserving bodies involved natural materials, such as resin. According to a cadaver discovered in the Royal Cemetery of Ur dating from 2,500 BC, this method of preserving bodies used heat and mercury.

Other countries that also practiced body preservation include Persia, Ethiopia, Spain, China, and Greece. Naturally, the preservation processes differed from one another.

3. The First Discovery of Formalin

In the following years, the person who first discovered formalin was a Russian chemist named Alexander Mikhailovich Butlerov in 1859. Butlerov discovered the compound formaldehyde by accident while researching the structure of certain organic components.

Formaldehyde occurs naturally as a gas originating from incomplete combustion of carbon-based materials, such as smoke from forest fires, motor vehicle exhaust, and cigarette smoke.

Unfortunately, Butlerov did not have adequate equipment, so he was unable to process his discovery. Later, in 1869, another chemist from Germany named August Wilhelm von Hofmann proposed the use of formalin, which proved effective.

However, as late as 1898, experts from medical schools were still debating the effective concentration of formalin. Some experts believed a concentration of only 3 percent was sufficient, while others said the concentration needed to reach 10 percent.

4. Development of the Formalin Formula for the Deceased

In the following years, the use of formalin continued to develop, with formalin being mixed with other materials to minimize its negative effects.

In 1961, a scientist named Erskine added several formulas, such as glycerol, febol, sodium arsenate, salicylic acid, and 6-chloroethyl, to give formalin for the deceased an antifungal effect.

The Islamic View on Preserving the Deceased

Preserving bodies remains a subject of debate in wider society. Some people, especially Muslims, still hold the view that a person who has died should be buried immediately.

In reality, preserved bodies are often those that died far from their hometown and therefore require preservation of the deceased to prevent decomposition. So what is the Islamic view on this body preservation?

According to Islam, preserving a body is permissible. However, you should know that preserving a body is recommended using camphor or a special oil for bodies containing camphor, sandalwood, and plant oils so that the body can last longer and not deteriorate.

This is in accordance with the book Mughni al-Muhtaj, volume 4, page 229. Furthermore, according to Fatawa Al-Azhar 8/46, preserving a body may also use chemicals, as long as the dosage is appropriate for the purpose of preventing the body from decomposing quickly.

Preserving bodies for research is also permissible, under certain conditions, such as for the advancement of knowledge, when it brings greater benefit, and when the research can only be conducted using human subjects.

Furthermore, the deceased have rights that must be fulfilled, such as washing, shrouding, and performing the funeral prayer. A preserved body that has finished serving as a research subject must be buried promptly in accordance with Islamic law.

In principle, everyone must fulfill the obligations owed to the deceased, one of which is to bury them promptly. Therefore, preserving a body without a valid reason is forbidden.

Do You Understand the Rules on Using Formalin for the Deceased?

Formalin for the deceased is a substance used to preserve bodies. In Islam, preserving a body is permissible as long as there is a valid reason under Islamic law.

When preserving a body, one must also follow the procedures of preparation of the deceased, such as cleaning, washing, and performing the funeral prayer (if the deceased is Muslim). Choose funeral care services that offer care for the body from the initial stage to the end, from Kamboja.

Kamboja provides funeral care services for both Muslim and non-Muslim families, with professional funeral guides, full 24-hour service, and transparent pricing. What are you waiting for? Contact Kamboja now!