Moorhead, MN: A casual social media post in 2018 sparked a breakthrough in funeral service innovation. When a funeral director voiced her dissatisfaction with traditional plastic garments—citing leaks, bulkiness, and the disruptive crinkling sound they made when touched, seasoned embalmer Ron Gresham took notice. That moment of online frustration led to the creation of BodyGuard, a heat-shrinkable protective garment now transforming embalming practices worldwide.
Developed and perfected over seven years, the BodyGuard by CRON Specialties is crafted from durable 6 mil polyethylene plastic. Unlike conventional unionalls, the BodyGuard can be heat-shrunk to conform tightly to the body using a standard heat gun, eliminating excess bulk and minimizing noise. It’s cremation-safe and produces fewer chemical emissions than traditional alternatives.
Gresham, who has handled thousands of challenging cases—from trauma victims to advanced decomposition—recognized the need for a more adaptable solution. After extensive field testing through his trade embalming service, he launched CRON Specialties in May 2025. The response has been overwhelming, with orders pouring in from across the globe.
In response to requests from fellow funeral directors, Gresham has expanded the BodyGuard line to include heat-shrinkable pants, sleeves, and stockings, allowing targeted coverage for specific areas such as limbs. These additions further enhance the product’s versatility and ease of use.
“I’m not done yet,” Gresham shared. “There are more ideas in the pipeline to support embalmers and funeral professionals. This is just the beginning.”
About CRON Specialties: CRON Specialties, based in Moorhead, MN, was founded to solve a long-standing issue in funeral care: the lack of a durable, leak-resistant, and low-profile garment for decedents. After years of development, the company introduced the BodyGuard—a heat-shrinkable unionall designed to meet the practical needs of embalmers and funeral directors worldwide. To explore the BodyGuard and other innovative products from CRON Specialties, visit CRONspec.com.
