Method of embedding a tissue sample into an embedding medium, characterized by the following steps: a. holding the tissue sample in a target direction in a vessel by means of a holding element that presses the tissue sample against a base of the vessel, b. introducing a liquid embedding medium, namely paraffin having a dropping point in the range from 50 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius and having a temperature 4 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius above the dropping point of the embedding medium, into the vessel, c. cooling the base of the vessel in such a way that the vessel is brought into heat-conducting contact with a cooling element, d. executing a separating movement resulting in separation of the tissue sample and the holding element from one another, wherein i. the separating movement is automatically started immediately after a timespan (t 1) in the range from 1 second to 4 seconds after the commencement of the cooling has elapsed, or instead the temperature of the embedding medium or of the vessel or of the holding element is measured with a temperature sensor and the separating movement is automatically triggered as soon as the measured temperature reaches a defined or definable trigger temperature, and wherein ii. the layers of the embedding medium through which the holding element moves during the separating movement are still liquid during the separating movement and have temperatures in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, especially of 60 degrees Celsius, and/or wherein the portions of the embedding medium directly adjoining the holding element in each case are still liquid during the separating movement and have a temperature in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, especially of 60 degrees Celsius. a. holding the tissue sample in a target direction in a vessel by means of a holding element that presses the tissue sample against a base of the vessel, b. introducing a liquid embedding medium, namely paraffin having a dropping point in the range from 50 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius and having a temperature 4 degrees Celsius to 7 degrees Celsius above the dropping point of the embedding medium, into the vessel, c. cooling the base of the vessel in such a way that the vessel is brought into heat-conducting contact with a cooling element, d. executing a separating movement resulting in separation of the tissue sample and the holding element from one another, wherein i. the separating movement is automatically started immediately after a timespan (t 1) in the range from 1 second to 4 seconds after the commencement of the cooling has elapsed, or instead the temperature of the embedding medium or of the vessel or of the holding element is measured with a temperature sensor and the separating movement is automatically triggered as soon as the measured temperature reaches a defined or definable trigger temperature, and wherein ii. the layers of the embedding medium through which the holding element moves during the separating movement are still liquid during the separating movement and have temperatures in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, especially of 60 degrees Celsius, and/or wherein the portions of the embedding medium directly adjoining the holding element in each case are still liquid during the separating movement and have a temperature in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, especially of 60 degrees Celsius. i. the separating movement is automatically started immediately after a timespan (t 1) in the range from 1 second to 4 seconds after the commencement of the cooling has elapsed, or instead the temperature of the embedding medium or of the vessel or of the holding element is measured with a temperature sensor and the separating movement is automatically triggered as soon as the measured temperature reaches a defined or definable trigger temperature, and wherein ii. the layers of the embedding medium through which the holding element moves during the separating movement are still liquid during the separating movement and have temperatures in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, especially of 60 degrees Celsius, and/or wherein the portions of the embedding medium directly adjoining the holding element in each case are still liquid during the separating movement and have a temperature in the range from 54 degrees Celsius to 64 degrees Celsius, especially of 60 degrees Celsius.