Embalming (or thanatopraxy) is the procedure by which the body of the deceased is treated to be temporarily conserved and keep a dignified appearance throughout the wake and ceremony. It is performed by sanitary-certified staff, in a specialised cabin, and takes around 2–3 hours. It is recommended when several days pass before the funeral, in warm weather, and mandatory for international repatriation.
Embalming is a conservation procedure in which a special solution is injected into the circulatory system, slowing the natural processes after death. The technical term „thanatopraxy” refers precisely to the care and conservation of the deceased's body.
The purpose is twofold: to allow the family a calm wake, without haste, and to preserve a natural, dignified appearance of the loved one. The procedure is carried out with respect, by qualified staff, without the family present.
Is embalming mandatory? The situations where it is
Embalming is not mandatory as a general rule. For a funeral that takes place 1–2 days after death, in moderate temperatures, standard preparation without embalming is sufficient. The law does not require embalming for a normal domestic funeral.
It becomes required or strongly recommended in specific situations:
Situation
Required?
Repatriation or international transport (any destination)
Yes — mandatory. Condition for the mortuary passport. Also requires a zinc-sealed casket.
Domestic transport exceeding 24 hours from death
Yes — required, with sanitary clearance.
Extended wake or open-casket display (more than one night)
Recommended. Embalming prevents visible changes.
High temperatures (summer months, unventilated spaces)
DSP-imposed situations (infectious disease, violent death per medical examiner direction)
Yes — in specific cases DSP may require embalming as a public health measure.
Normal funeral within 24–48 hours of death, standard conditions
No — not required.
Embalming — when it is required Legal basis: Romanian Law 102/2014 on funeral services; Government Decision HG 741/2016 on sanitary authorization of funeral operators.
Repatriation cases — what families abroad need to know
When a Romanian citizen passes away abroad and will be brought to Romania for burial, embalming is always performed in the country where the death happened, before the body is shipped to Romania. Our partner funeral homes abroad carry out this step. You do not need to arrange it separately — we brief the local funeral home.
Conversely, if your relative passed away in Romania and will be transported to another country for burial, we perform the embalming here before departure. In both directions, embalming is a condition for the mortuary passport and cannot be skipped.
When it is needed
When more than 1–2 days pass before the funeral.
In warm weather, when natural conservation is harder.
When the family is spread out and needs time to gather.
Mandatory for international repatriation — zinc-casket embalming.
When an open-casket wake is wanted for several days.
Who performs the procedure
Embalming may only be carried out by staff holding a valid sanitary certification from the Romanian DSP (Public Health Directorate), under HG 741/2016. This certification covers training in thanatopraxy techniques, handling of regulated chemical substances, and proper use of sanitary equipment.
Our team has completed formal thanatopraxy training. Procedures are performed in a dedicated sanitary room — separate from any public-facing area of our premises — with controlled ventilation, proper drainage, and all required protective equipment. The room and our personnel are subject to periodic DSP inspection.
The family does not attend — the procedure is carried out privately, out of respect and per sanitary protocol. After the procedure, the deceased is dressed and presented to the family in the casket.
Illustrative image: the dedicated preparation cabin — ventilated, sanitary-authorized, separate from all public areas.
How it is done, step by step
The procedure is part of preparing the deceased and takes place in a specialised cabin, by DSP-certified sanitary staff. The family does not attend — they see the person only afterwards, prepared and dressed.
Cleansing of the body — washing and disinfecting.
Injecting the conservation solution into the circulatory system (2–3 hours).
Cosmetics — for a natural appearance, as if sleeping.
Dressing with the clothes chosen by the family.
Illustrative image: the sterile instrument set used during thanatopraxy procedures, laid out on a preparation tray.
Embalming for repatriation
For international repatriation, embalming is mandatory and is done in a sealed metal casket (zinc casket), per EU and international rules. Without this treatment, cross-border transport is not permitted. We handle the entire process, including the required paperwork.
Who performs it and what it costs
Embalming is performed exclusively by sanitary-certified staff, under Romanian Law 102/2014. With us it is part of preparing the deceased and is included in complete packages. We tell you the cost from the first call, firm and with no surprises.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
What families ask about embalming and thanatopraxy
What is the difference between embalming and thanatopraxy?
They are practically the same. „Thanatopraxy” is the technical term for the care and conservation of the deceased's body, while „embalming” is the term used commonly. Both refer to the conservation treatment performed by certified staff.
Is embalming mandatory?
Generally no, not for an ordinary funeral held 1–2 days after death. It becomes necessary when more time passes or in warm weather, and it is mandatory for international repatriation.
How long does the procedure take?
Injecting the conservation solution takes 2–3 hours. With cleansing, cosmetics, and dressing, the full preparation of the deceased takes around 4–6 hours.
How long does it conserve the body?
Standard embalming allows conservation for several days, enough for the wake and ceremony. For repatriation, zinc-casket embalming ensures longer conservation, required for international transport.
Does the family attend the procedure?
No. The procedure is done in a specialised cabin, by certified staff. The family sees the loved one only afterwards — prepared, dressed, with a dignified and natural appearance.
We are organizing repatriation to Romania — do we need to request embalming?
Yes. Any body transported to Romania from abroad must be embalmed before departure, as a condition for the mortuary passport. If a Romanian relative passed away in Italy, Germany, Spain, or elsewhere, the local funeral home there performs the embalming before shipment. We coordinate this with our partner abroad. If you are arranging things from Romania on behalf of a relative abroad, call us first — we will brief you on exactly what the foreign funeral home needs to do.
Is embalming needed for cremation?
Usually not. For cremation soon after death, embalming is not necessary. It may be recommended only if an extended wake is held before cremation.
RELATED SERVICES
Related services we provide
Preparation of the deceased
The full process: cleansing, embalming, cosmetics, and dressing.
