People grieving the loss of a loved one are exploited by being forced to spend extra money by the funeral industry. The embalming process poses health and environmental problems for those who handle the chemicals used in the process. There are alternatives to embalming that are less expensive and more environmentally friendly. Embalming is a complicated process in which many Canadians earn extraordinary sums of money for their deceased loved ones to be buried and put into a resting place. Coercion and Deception During a time of distress and duress, many family members make decisions that are often hasty. The funeral industry takes advantage of those who are grieving by telling family members that embalming is necessary. The undertaker uses the argument that the corpse must be preserved in order for it to be presentable. The undertaker often decides to embalm the body without the permission of the deceased person or one of their family members (Mitford, 2005). Once it's all over, the total bill for the funeral service is often higher than initially stated and the family ends up with a huge bill. People want the body to be presentable at the funeral; therefore, they are forced to pay extra to promote the growth of the business industry (Mitford, 1998). Hazardous Chemicals The chemicals used in the embalming process will cause many health and environmental problems for those who handle the solvents. Formaldehyde, glycerin, borax, phenol, alcohol and water are typical ingredients of embalming fluid (Mitford, 2005). Many of these chemicals are corrosive and carcinogenic that are absorbed into the skin of the... paper medium... create a harmful safety hazard for people who handle formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals found in embalming fluids . Additionally, there are safer alternatives than embalming. Embalming is a complicated process in which Canadians pay extraordinary sums of money for their deceased loved ones. Think twice before making arrangements for your loved ones. Works Cited Chiappelli, J. (2008). Grandmother drinking: the problem of embalming. Journal of Environmental Health, 71 (5), 24-28.Colman, P. (1997). Corpses, coffins and crypts. New York: Henry Holt and Company, Inc. Mitford, J. (2005). Behind the curtain of formaldehyde. In S. Scott, D. Perkins, and E. Rothwell, Intersections: Readings in the sciences and humanities (pp. 129-134). Toronto: Pearson.Mitford, J. (1998). The American way to die revisited. New York: Vintage Books.