The Mortuary Masterclass

Episode 14: Then and Now — Formaldehyde, Exposure Data, and Safer Practice

In this episode of The Mortuary Masterclass, we revisit early formaldehyde exposure research and examine how those findings continue to inform safer prep-room practices today.

We explore a hands-on study conducted in the early 1990s by Champion’s Research and Education Department, breaking down what the data revealed about airborne exposure, chemistry choices,...

Episode 13: From Tradition to Intention — Understanding Formaldehyde Exposure

In this episode of The Mortuary Masterclass, we take a focused look at formaldehyde exposure in the prep room—and what actually influences exposure for embalmers in day-to-day practice.

We examine how formaldehyde became a foundation of modern embalming, why occupational exposure limits exist, and how research into ventilation, airflow, and technique has re...

Episode 12: Ecobalming Explained — What’s Changing in the Prep Room and Why

In this episode of The Mortuary Masterclass, we examine how ecobalming is actively changing prep-room procedures—and why those changes matter for embalmers today.

We explore the real-world forces driving this shift, including family expectations, exposure awareness, regulatory pressure, and the rise of natural and green disposition. Rather than replacing trad...

Episode 11: Enigma & Ecobalming — A Modern Evolution in Preservation

In this episode of The Mortuary Masterclass, we explore a pivotal shift in embalming chemistry and what it means for today’s prep room, today’s families, and the future of the profession.

We walk through the science behind Champion’s fourth-generation ecobalming approach and the Enigma line, breaking down how non-hazardous, fully transparent chemistry can suppor...

In this episode of Mortuary Masterclass, we’re breaking down what pregnancy really means in the prep room — and which chemicals create the highest exposure risks.

Formaldehyde, high-volatility solvents, and drying-type cavity chemicals mirror industrial environments where increased miscarriages, fertility issues, and fetal complications are well-documented. We explain how these chemicals behave, why their vapors matter, and what the...

Episode 9: Clearing the Air on Embalming Exposure — The Phenol vs. Formaldehyde Reality Check

In this episode of Mortuary Masterclass, we’re cutting through decades of prep-room folklore to reveal the real exposure differences between two of embalming’s most talked-about chemicals: phenol and formaldehyde.
For years, phenol has carried an intense (and often exaggerated) reputation, while formaldehyde has been treated as the depen...

Episode 8: Smells Clean, Works Dirty — The Hexane Breakdown

In this episode of Mortuary Masterclass, we’re exposing a quiet newcomer that doesn’t deserve a place in the prep room: hexane.
Often tucked inside certain dry washes or cleaning solvents, hexane brings a host of problems with none of the benefits — adding flammability, increasing total chemical load, and raising exposure risks without improving sanitization or performan...

Episode 7: Jaundice Embalming Redefined

In this episode of Mortuary Masterclass, we tackle one of embalming’s most complex and nerve-wracking challenges — jaundice cases. These are the bodies that make even seasoned embalmers pause: delicate tissues, unstable chemistry, and that ever-looming risk of a yellow-to-green discoloration.

We’ll explore the science behind bilirubin and its transformation into biliverdin, uncover why formalde...

Episode 6: Embalming Edema: Part 2 – Modern Solutions

In this episode of The Mortuary Masterclass, we wrap up our two-part series on edema embalming with a focus on modern chemistry and real-world results. Traditional methods like Epsom salts, waterless embalming, and heavy humectants often fall short—but smarter chemistry changes everything.

Our studies showed that combining glutaraldehyde with formaldehyde delivers firmer, drier ti...

Episode 5: Embalming Edema: Part 1 – The Science Behind the Swell
In this episode of Mortuary Masterclass, we take a closer look at edema—one of the most persistent and frustrating challenges embalmers encounter. Known by many names such as dropsy, anasarca, ascites, hydrothorax, and hydroperitoneum, edema is the buildup of excess fluid in the body’s tissues and cavities.

We’ll break down the underlying chemistry of fluid retenti...

Episode 4: Restorative Art: Hidden Hazards

In this episode of Mortuary Masterclass, we uncover the hidden dangers of three chemicals still lingering in some embalming cosmetics and restoratives: lead chromate, methylene chloride, and toluene. Once considered breakthroughs, these ingredients remain in certain spray sealers, adhesives, and heavy makeups—even though modern research links them to serious health risks.

Drawing from curren...

Episode 3: Dehydration in Embalming – Causes, Effects, and Proven Solutions

In this episode of Mortuary Masterclass, we take a deep dive into one of embalming’s most persistent challenges: dehydration. Drawing from Champion’s field research and decades of real-world testing, we explore how and why dehydration develops before, during, and even after embalming—and what embalmers can do to control it at every stage.

From pre-embalming f...

Episode Title: Formaldehyde in Focus: Understanding Tradition and Evolving Practices

Episode Description:
In this episode of Mortuary Masterclass, we dive into the history, science, and modern role of formaldehyde in embalming. While formaldehyde has been a cornerstone in preservation for generations, today’s embalmers are navigating new insights into its use, safety, and evolving best practices. We’ll explore how to balance traditio...

Episode 1: Understanding Glutaraldehyde – Facts, Benefits, and Its Place in Modern Embalming

In our debut episode of Mortuary Masterclass, we take a clear, balanced look at glutaraldehyde—a preservative that’s often misunderstood in the embalming world. Drawing from Champion’s Encyclopedia 651, we explore how glutaraldehyde works, why some embalmers prefer it for specific cases, and how it can complement—not replace—traditional form...