Do I Really Need Embalming? What Families Should Know

Losing someone you love is one of life’s most difficult experiences. In the midst of grief, you’re suddenly faced with an overwhelming list of decisions — decisions you may have never thought about before. One of the questions I hear most often from families is:

“Do we really need embalming?”

It’s an understandable concern. Embalming can seem like a mysterious and intimidating process if you’ve never experienced it before. Over the years, I’ve spoken with countless families who believed embalming was automatically required by law or thought it was necessary for every funeral or viewing. Others worried about the cost or were unsure about their options.

The truth is, embalming isn’t always required — and whether it’s right for you depends on several factors, including the type of service you want, your personal beliefs, religious considerations, and even local regulations.

As a licensed funeral director and embalmer, I’ve walked beside many families as they make this decision. I understand how emotional, confusing, and deeply personal it can feel. That’s why I wanted to write this article — to give you clear, compassionate, and honest information about embalming, including:

• What embalming actually is and how it works

• When it’s legally required — and when it’s not

• Reasons some families choose embalming

• Alternatives, like refrigeration, that may fit your wishes better

• Questions to ask your funeral director before deciding

My hope is that by the end of this article, you’ll feel more informed, less overwhelmed, and fully empowered to make the choice that’s right for you and your family.

Because at the heart of it, embalming isn’t just a technical process — it’s a decision tied to honoring your loved one, supporting your traditions, and giving your family peace of mind during one of the hardest times of your life.

What Is Embalming?

Embalming is a process that temporarily preserves and sanitizes the body.

It typically involves:

• Replacing natural body fluids with a formaldehyde-based solution

• Cleansing and disinfecting the body

• Restoring natural appearance for viewing

Embalming slows down the natural changes that occur after death, giving families more time to hold visitations or open-casket services.

However, it’s important to understand that embalming doesn’t stop these changes permanently — it simply delays them.

What Legal and Regulatory Standards Say About Embalming

1. Federal Law Does Not Require Embalming
   The U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule clearly states that embalming is not required by law, except in specific circumstances such as when required by local or state statutes. Funeral homes must explicitly disclose this to consumers.

2. Funeral Home Policy Often Requires Embalming for Public Viewing
   While not legally mandated, embalming is commonly required by funeral homes when families request a public viewing or open-casket service.

3. Refrigeration Is a Legally Acceptable Alternative
   Many states allow refrigeration instead of embalming when:

·         There’s a delay between the time of death and final disposition

·         Bodies will be transported out of state

Some states require embalming or refrigeration after a certain timeframe (e.g., 24 hours) unless immediate burial or cremation occurs

1. Embarking on Long-Distance Transport May Trigger Requirements
   In some states, embalming is required if the body will be transported across state lines or shipped via common carriers. In those cases, alternatives (like airtight containers) may be allowed

2. Funeral Providers Must Disclose Options and Rights Clearly
   The FTC mandates that funeral homes must:

·         Inform families that embalming isn’t legally required (unless exceptions apply)

·         Provide itemized pricing, including the cost of embalming

·         Advise that options like direct cremation or immediate burial may avoid embalming altogether

1. Embalming Offers No Public Health Benefits
   Public health authorities, including the CDC, do not endorse embalming as a necessity for public safety. Some jurisdictions even prohibit the practice under certain circumstances

When Families Choose Embalming

Even when it isn’t required, many families choose embalming for emotional, cultural, or practical reasons:

1. Open-Casket Services

If you plan to have a public viewing or visitation, embalming is typically recommended. It helps restore the body’s natural appearance, which can be deeply comforting for loved ones who want the chance to say goodbye.

2. Delayed Services

If the funeral or memorial service will take place several days or weeks after death, embalming helps ensure your loved one is cared for with dignity during that time.

3. Religious or Cultural Traditions

Some faiths, like certain branches of Christianity, traditionally prefer embalming when preparing the body for viewing. Others, such as Judaism and Islam, typically discourage or prohibit it.

4. Peace of Mind

For many families, embalming provides reassurance. They find comfort knowing their loved one looks peaceful and cared for during final goodbyes.

When Embalming May Not Be Necessary

Choosing not to embalm is also an option in many situations, especially if you prefer a simpler or more natural approach. Here are a few examples:

• Direct cremation: If cremation will happen soon after death and no viewing is planned, embalming usually isn’t needed.

• Immediate burial: If the body will be buried quickly, embalming may not be necessary.

• Private or closed-casket services: If there won’t be a public viewing, you can often skip embalming.

• Green burials: Many environmentally friendly burial options avoid embalming to reduce chemical impact on the earth.

Funeral homes can provide refrigeration as an alternative, keeping the body safe and dignified without embalming.

Common Myths About Embalming — And the Truth Behind Them

Embalming is one of the most misunderstood aspects of funeral planning, and it’s easy to see why. Movies, TV shows, and even well-meaning friends often perpetuate myths about what’s required and what embalming actually does.

Let’s separate fact from fiction:

Myth #1: Embalming is always required by law.
Truth: In most cases, embalming is not legally required. While some states mandate embalming under specific circumstances — such as long delays before burial, shipping a body across state or international borders, or certain health-related situations — families usually have other options, like refrigeration. Always ask your funeral director to explain your state’s regulations so you can make the choice that works best for your family.

Myth #2: Embalming preserves the body forever.
Truth: Embalming is designed for temporary preservation, not permanent. Its purpose is to slow natural changes long enough for families to plan and hold services, typically providing a viewing window of several days to about a week. However, how long the effects last depends on several factors, including:

• The quality and method of the embalming process

• The individual condition of the body

• Environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and burial location

• The type of casket used

In some cases, when an embalmed body is placed in a sealed casket, preservation can last for several months. But ultimately, embalming cannot stop decomposition entirely. Over time, natural processes resume, and after five to ten years, only the skeletal remains typically remain.

Myth #3: Embalming is the only way to prepare a body for viewing.
Truth: Embalming is not your only option. Many families choose alternatives, such as refrigeration and gentle cosmetic preparation to make their loved one presentable for a viewing without a full embalming procedure. Every situation is unique, so it’s always best to discuss your wishes and options with your funeral director.

Environmental Considerations

Embalming fluids contain formaldehyde, which raises environmental concerns for some families. If sustainability matters to you, ask your funeral director about eco-friendly alternatives or green burial options that avoid chemicals entirely.

Questions to Ask Your Funeral Director

Before deciding on embalming, here are a few questions you may want to ask:

• Is embalming legally required in my situation?

• Are there refrigeration options available instead?

• Will skipping embalming limit my viewing or service options?

• How does embalming affect costs?

• What are the environmental impacts?

Your funeral director should guide you through these decisions with compassion, honesty, and respect for your wishes.

Cost Considerations

Embalming can be an additional expense — typically ranging between $500 and $1,200, depending on your location and funeral home.

If you’re concerned about costs, ask for an itemized price list and discuss your priorities with your funeral director. Sometimes, simple refrigeration and minimal preparation are enough to meet your family’s needs.

Final Thoughts

Making decisions after the loss of a loved one is never easy — and embalming is one of those topics that can feel especially overwhelming. Between what you’ve heard, what people assume, and what the law actually requires, it’s easy to feel unsure about what’s truly necessary.

Here’s the most important thing I want you to remember: you have options. Embalming isn’t automatically required, and it isn’t always the right choice for every family or every situation. What matters most is choosing what feels right for you, your loved one, and your traditions.

For some families, embalming offers peace of mind — knowing their loved one can be viewed, honored, and remembered in a way that feels comforting. For others, religious beliefs, environmental values, or personal preferences make alternatives like refrigeration a better fit. There is no “one right answer.”

My goal at Behind the Funeral is to empower you with information, compassion, and transparency so you can make decisions based on knowledge — not pressure. Asking questions, exploring your options, and having honest conversations with your funeral director are all important steps toward creating a farewell that truly reflects your loved one’s life and values.

Above all, remember this: you’re not alone in this process. Whether you choose embalming or not, there are caring professionals ready to guide you, honor your wishes, and support your family every step of the way.

Because at the end of the day, embalming is not just about preservation — it’s about creating space to grieve, remember, and celebrate the person you love in the way that feels most meaningful to you.