The Essential Embalming Room Supply List for New Florida Funeral Homes (2025)

Opening a new funeral home is a monumental undertaking, and ensuring your preparation and embalming room is fully compliant with Florida state regulations is a critical, non-negotiable step. A properly equipped facility not only meets legal standards but also ensures the safety of your staff and guarantees that every decedent is treated with the utmost dignity and care.

This official checklist is based directly on the State of Florida's required equipment list for funeral service establishments. Use this as your definitive guide to stocking your embalming room from day one.

Major Equipment & Fixtures

This category includes the foundational, permanent items that form the core of your embalming room.

• [ ] Embalming Table: A stainless steel or porcelain table designed for the embalming process. It must be non-porous and easy to sanitize.

• [ ] Sterilizers:

  • [ ] Steam Sterilizer (Autoclave): For sterilizing instruments under pressure.

  • [ ] Chemical Sterilizer: For instruments that cannot be subjected to high heat.

• [ ] Positioning Devices: Head rests, body rests, and arm rests used to properly position the decedent on the table.

• [ ] Aspirator: A device used for the removal of liquids and gasses from body cavities.

• [ ] Pressure Machine (Embalming Machine): A centrifugal pump used to inject arterial fluid at a controlled pressure and flow rate.

• [ ] Eye Wash Station: An emergency station for flushing the eyes in case of a chemical splash. Must be readily accessible.

• [ ] Sharps Container: A puncture-proof, leak-proof container for the disposal of used needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments.

• [ ] Bio-hazardous Waste Container: A properly labeled, leak-proof container for the disposal of all bio-hazardous waste materials.

• [ ] Exhaust Fan: A ventilation fan to ensure proper air circulation and removal of chemical fumes from the room.

• [ ] Hand Sinks: Designated sinks with hot and cold running water for hand washing.

Embalming Instruments & Tools

These are the specialized hand tools required for the arterial and cavity embalming process.

• [ ] Arterial Tubes: A set of various-sized cannulas for insertion into arteries to inject fluid.

• [ ] Aneurysm Needle & Hook: Instruments used for dissecting and elevating vessels.

• [ ] Scalpels: At least one with a permanent blade and one with removable blades for making incisions.

• [ ] Scissors: A complete set, including straight, curved, and bandage scissors.

• [ ] Forceps: A complete set of various types for clamping, grasping, and manipulating tissue and vessels.

• [ ] Grooved Director: An instrument used to guide arterial tubes and drain tubes into vessels.

• [ ] Drain Tubes: A set of various-sized tubes inserted into veins to allow for blood drainage.

• [ ] Vein Expander: An instrument used to open and expand veins for easier insertion of drain tubes.

• [ ] Needle Injector & Barbs: A device used for mouth closure by inserting barbed points into the mandible and maxilla.

• [ ] Hypodermic Syringes & Needles: Used for hypodermic injection of fluids into tissues for supplemental treatment.

• [ ] Suture Needles: A set of various curved needles (including S-shaped, double-curved) for suturing incisions.

• [ ] Ligature/Suture Thread: Spools of thread used for tying off vessels and closing incisions.

• [ ] Trocar: A long, hollow needle used for aspirating cavities and injecting cavity fluid.

• [ ] Trocar Button Applicator & Buttons: A device and plastic plugs used to seal the puncture made by the trocar.

• [ ] Nasal Tube Aspirator: A specialized tube for aspirating the nasal and oral cavities.

• [ ] Stopcocks: Valves used on Y-tubes to control the flow of fluid from the embalming machine.

Fluids, Chemicals & Disinfectants

A comprehensive stock of chemicals is required for preservation, sanitation, and feature setting.

• [ ] Arterial Fluids: A selection of preservative fluids with various indexes (strengths) to treat a range of case types.

• [ ] Cavity Fluids: A high-index disinfectant and preservative fluid for injection into the body cavities.

• [ ] Accessory/Supplemental Chemicals: This includes pre-injection fluids, co-injection fluids, humectants, and dyes.

• [ ] Disinfectant Soap: Germicidal soap for hand washing and personal hygiene.

• [ ] Disinfectant Spray/Chemicals: A broad-spectrum disinfectant for sanitizing the embalming table, surfaces, and instruments.

• [ ] Feature Builder: Tissue-building chemicals used with a hypodermic syringe to restore natural contour to emaciated facial features.

• [ ] Solvents: Chemicals used for cleaning instruments and surfaces of residue and stains.

• [ ] Sealing Compounds: Incision sealers (powders or liquids) and adhesives used to prevent leakage from incisions or punctures.

Personal Protective & Safety Equipment (PPE)

This equipment is mandatory to protect staff from chemical and biological hazards, in compliance with OSHA standards.

• [ ] Gloves: Disposable, single-use examination gloves.

• [ ] Gowns: Impervious, fluid-resistant gowns to protect clothing and skin.

• [ ] Shoe Covers: Disposable, fluid-resistant covers to protect footwear.

• [ ] Face Shields and/or Goggles: To protect the eyes and face from splashes of chemicals or bodily fluids.

• [ ] Respirator Masks: Masks designed to protect from chemical fumes and airborne pathogens.

General Supplies & Linens

These items are necessary for the day-to-day operations of the preparation room.

• [ ] Towels: A supply of clean cloth or disposable towels.

• [ ] Cotton: Rolls or balls of cotton for feature setting, cleaning, and packing.

• [ ] Tubing: A supply of clean plastic or rubber tubing for the embalming machine and aspirator.

• [ ] Body Bags/Pouches: A stock of durable, leak-proof pouches for transporting and handling remains.

• [ ] Linens: A supply of clean sheets or linens for covering the deceased.

A Foundation for Success

Having your embalming room fully stocked and compliant from the moment you open your doors is a cornerstone of professional practice. It ensures you are always prepared to serve families, protects your staff, and solidifies your reputation as a competent and caring establishment. Regularly audit this list to ensure your inventory remains complete.