STALIN`S DEATH. 1953.

Stalin`s and Lenin`s bodies in Mausoleum

Though Stalin's body had been embalmed, it was only prepared for the three day lying-in-state. It was going to take much more preparation to make the body seem unchanged for generations.

When Lenin died in 1924, Professor Vorobyev had done the embalming. It was a complicated process that resulted in an electric pump being installed inside Lenin's body to maintain a constant humidity.

When Stalin died in 1953, Professor Vorobyev had already passed away. Thus, the job of embalming Stalin went to Professor Vorobyev's assistant, Professor Zharsky. The embalming process took several months.

In November 1953, seven months after Stalin's death, the tomb was reopened. Stalin lay in a coffin, under glass, near the body of Lenin.

Stalin`s and Lenin`s bodies in Lenin mausoleum
Removing Stalin`s body
Stalin Biography
Stalin Video
Stalin on Lenin: audio and texts