Who is known as the father of embalming in the United States?

Thomas Holmes is recognized as the father of embalming in the United States due to his significant contributions to the practice during the Civil War. He was one of the first to advocate for systematic embalming techniques and to demonstrate the effectiveness of preserving human remains for transport. His introduction of arterial embalming helped to standardize the process, making it more widely accepted and practiced.

Holmes not only performed embalming but also trained others to do so, which helped to establish formal techniques and methods that would become essential in the funeral service profession. His work addressed the logistical challenges of transporting bodies, particularly of soldiers who died far from home, thereby influencing how the practice evolved in the United States. This foundational role in developing and promoting embalming clearly positions him as a pivotal figure in this area of funeral service.