Lincoln's embalmment

[Eva Elisabeth]

I’m not a doctor, but I think –in answer on Eva’s question in her opening post - that nowadays formaldehyde is used as embalming fluid.

Well, my question refered to the USA. As for Germany I do know, and you are right, Kees, formaldehyde will be used at least here. However, embalming is only allwed under certain circumstances, e.g. if the body will be transferred abroad, the main use is for the training of medicine students. A body or limb preserved with formaldehyde fluid for the latter remains soft and flexible (so it's e.g. possible to study the functions of tensions during joint movement).
And then there's the "Plastinator", Gunther von Hagens who exposed "plastinated" bodies:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_Worlds