DECEASED PREPARATION · WITH RESPECT AND DISCRETION
Deceased preparation — embalming and funeral cosmetics
Deceased preparation covers all sanitary and aesthetic procedures needed for the loved one to be presented with dignity at the wake and ceremony. Includes embalming (required for transport or storage > 24h), cleansing, funeral cosmetics, and dressing with family-chosen clothes. All procedures performed by DSP-certified personnel in specialized cabins, with complete discretion toward the family. For international transfers, special zinc-casket embalming applies — see our repatriation service for details.
deceased preparation — with respect and discretion. Illustrative image.
PREPARATION · 5 STAGES
The 5 stages of body preparation
Body preparation is performed exclusively by DSP-certified sanitary staff, in a specialized cabin, in 4–6 hours total. Family does not attend sanitary procedures — sees the prepared person only after completion.
130–60 min
Cleansing
Body washing with warm water and disinfecting soap. Preparation for embalming.
22–3 hours
Embalming
Conservation solution injection into circulatory system. Regulated medical procedure.
31–2 hours
Cosmetics
Makeup, hair styling, optional feature restoration. Natural appearance, as if sleeping.
430–60 min
Dressing
With family-chosen clothes. Arranging jewelry (wedding ring, cross, medallion).
5D+1
Presentation
Casket with prepared deceased is presented to family for final goodbye.
What „deceased preparation” means
Deceased preparation is a set of sanitary and aesthetic procedures performed by specialists with DSP (Romanian Public Health Directorate) certification. Procedures are regulated by Law 102/2014 and the technical norms of each crematorium or cemetery.
Main procedures are embalming (injecting a preservative solution that slows biological processes), cleansing (washing and preparing the body), funeral cosmetics (makeup, hair, feature restoration), and dressing with family-chosen clothes.
Transfers exceeding 24 hours from death — mandatory by law
Inter-county transport (over 50 km between pickup and destination)
International transport — mandatory with special embalming + zinc casket
Extended wake (over one night) — to prevent natural degradation
Cases of violent death or following an infectious disease
Cases where the body was exposed to non-optimal conditions (extreme cold, heat, humidity)
Preparation procedures
Cleansing — first step. Washing the body with warm water and disinfectant soap, drying, preparing for embalming. Takes 30-60 minutes.
Embalming — medical procedure of injecting a preservative solution (diluted formaldehyde + other components) into the circulatory system. The solution replaces organic fluids and significantly slows biological processes. Takes 2-3 hours.
Funeral cosmetics — makeup, hair styling, possibly feature restoration (for cases with visible trauma). Goal: presentation with natural expression, as if sleeping. Takes 1-2 hours.
Dressing — with family-chosen clothes (typically a formal outfit, white shirt, suit, or dress). Arranging hands, glasses, personal items. The ceremony after preparation is coordinated through our ceremony organisation service.
Illustrative image: the preparation room — a specialized, ventilated cabin where all procedures are carried out by certified staff.
What the body preparation costs
Body preparation starts from 850 RON as a standalone service. This breaks down roughly as washing and cleansing (~400 RON) plus standard embalming (~450 RON). Cosmetics and dressing are included in this figure for normal cases.
When preparation is part of a complete funeral package — Essential (4,900 RON), Traditional (7,400 RON), or Premium (10,900 RON) — it is fully included in the package price. You pay one amount for everything; preparation is not an add-on.
All our preparation procedures are carried out under DSP sanitary authorization per HG 741/2016, which governs the physical premises, equipment, and staff qualifications. We are inspected and re-authorized on a regular schedule.
Illustrative image: funeral cosmetics applied with attention to natural appearance — a detail of the process during the final preparation stage.
Service
Indicative price
Notes
Washing and basic preparation
~400 RON
Included in all packages
Standard embalming
~450 RON
Included in all packages; mandatory for 24h+ transfers
Full standalone preparation (washing + embalming + cosmetics + dressing)
from 850 RON
For families not taking a complete package
Body preparation — indicative costs Zinc-casket embalming for international repatriation: additional cost, quoted on request.
What the family can choose
Clothes the deceased will wear — family brings them or requests from personal wardrobe
Jewelry that stays on the body (wedding ring, cross, medallion) — family's responsibility
Hairstyle and makeup — based on the person's traditional appearance
Personal items to place in casket — photos, letters, symbolic objects (we check crematorium compatibility if applicable)
Casket type (already included in chosen package)
Mandatory sanitary rules
Valid DSP sanitary certification for everyone handling the deceased
Mandatory protective equipment (gloves, mask, gown) for any procedure
Specialized cabin with adequate ventilation and sanitary drainage
Sanitary-authorized materials and solutions (per-norm diluted formaldehyde)
Special sanitary clearance for transport after embalming
Documentation handover to family (embalming certificate, issued by authorized personnel)
Planning the ceremony after preparation
Once preparation is complete, the family chooses flowers and ceremony details. Funeral wreaths are ordered through our funeral wreaths page. To understand how the 9,192 RON state aid offsets preparation costs, read our guide to the funeral allowance.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
What families ask about deceased preparation — embalming and funeral cosmetics
Can the family see the deceased during preparation?
No, the procedure is performed in a closed cabin, with authorized personnel only. After it's complete, the casket with embalmed and dressed deceased is presented to the family for the final farewell. Family presence during agency preparation only in exceptional cases, with special protocol.
How long does the entire preparation take?
Total 4-6 hours: cleansing (1h), embalming (2-3h), cosmetics and dressing (1-2h). The family can see the prepared deceased after ~6-8 hours from pickup, typically the day after death.
Can we send preferred clothing from abroad?
Yes. The family can send the deceased's preferred clothing — a suit, dress, or any outfit that was meaningful to them. If you are abroad, ship the clothes by courier to our address; send us the tracking number and we will coordinate receipt. Clothing should arrive before preparation begins — normally within 24 hours of the first call if you send it immediately. Include any personal items you'd like placed in the casket (a photo, a letter, a small object). We will inventory everything and confirm receipt by phone or WhatsApp.
What's different about repatriation embalming?
For international transport (intra-EU or extra-EU), deeper embalming (higher solution concentration) is mandatory, plus a casket with sealed zinc layer. Procedure takes longer (4-6 hours total) and requires a special sanitary clearance for international transport.
Can I prepare the deceased myself?
No, per Romanian Law 102/2014, deceased preparation (especially embalming) is performed only by personnel with valid sanitary certification. The family can choose clothes, jewelry, makeup, but cannot personally perform sanitary procedures. It's a public health rule, not a commercial restriction.
What happens to the deceased's personal items?
Clothes the deceased was brought in, phone, wallet, other personal items — all handed to the family with inventory at first pickup. The family decides what stays on the body (wedding ring, cross, medallion) and what returns.
Can I arrange special cosmetics (female makeup, hairstyle)?
Yes. Our specialists are trained for complete funeral cosmetics, including for women (natural makeup, usual-style hair) and men (shaving, possibly sideburns). The family can bring a reference photo of how they want the loved one to look.
Does preparation cost extra or is it included in the package?
Standard preparation (cleansing, local embalming, cosmetics, dressing) is included in all 4 funeral packages offered (Essential, Traditional, Cremation, Premium). Additional costs only for zinc embalming (needed only for international repatriations, +400-800 RON) or for complex reparative cosmetics (cases with visible trauma, +200-500 RON).
RELATED SERVICES
Related services we provide
Funeral transport
After preparation, transport to chapel, church, cemetery, or crematorium.
