X-Message-Number: 6664
Date: Fri, 2 Aug 1996 00:34:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: Low cost preservation in permafrost

 In Message #6639  mostly wrote: 
 >If one put his hopes on future science developement the following
 would be adequate for preservation. 
 It is my belief that my body is the home of my Spirit therefore
 Should I die please do the following with my body:  NO AUTOPSY!
 1) Put packets of ice around my head. 
 2) Infuse my body with heparin and nitroglycerin while cpr is done. 
 3) Get a quick release of my body from the hospital. 
 4) The undertaker can then do a traditional wash out with embalming
 fluid. 
 5) Wash out thoroughly the embalming fluid with ethyl alcohol. 
         (90% proof alcohol sold in liquor stores will do)<

 In a pinch, cheap rubbing alcohol might be used instead. If the blood
 coagulates it will be very difficult to obtain adequate fixation by only
 injection if ethanol is used. This would be less of a problem for
 isopropyl alcohol, since it is a more powerful fixative. A 60% solution
 of formaldehyde could also be used, but this would be more damaging to
 DNA, RNA and proteins than alcohols. 

 >6) Cover the surface of my body completely with vaseline. 
          (drug store vaseline will do)
 7) Wrap my body completely in 3 layers of bandages. Especially the head. 
 8) Paint the bandages until soaked with any oil based paint. 
 9) Pour 3 inches of rock salt in my casket. Place my body on the salt
 and then cover the body completely with the salt.<

 I would suggest that the vaseline, bandages, oil based paint and salt be
 replaced with bags of desiccant placed in the metal casket. It might be
 useful to hook a vaccuum pump up if available, to the casket before it is
 completely sealed to help draw out as much moisture as possible from the
 corpse before shipping. 

 >10) Ship my body overnight to Alaska. 
 11) The undertaker there will arrange that I am interned in Memorial
 Park.<

 Average annual temperature is 26 F for Fairbanks, Alaska, 22 for
 Yellowknife, NWT and 19 for Churchill, Manitoba. Of these only Churchill
 is located in the continuous permafrost zone. Churchill is serviced by
 Northland Funeral Services at 204-778-7982. Colder burial sites may be
 availible, but these would take some arranging. 

 >12) Before my body (in the same salt filled casket) is covered pour two
    feet of cement in the grave. Lower my casket right in the center. 
 Pour 4 feet deep cement over the casket. 
 13) Press prepared memorial plate into the wet cement. 
   J.C.<

 Might be helpful to add some insulation to the gravesite as well. 


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