What Embalming Is and When It Is Required

Embalming is the chemical process of temporarily preserving the body of the deceased. It is a highly specialized task performed by a licensed professional (embalmer) within the funeral home's preparation room.

The Embalming Process

The process involves two main steps:

1. Draining: The body's natural fluids (primarily blood) are drained from the circulatory system, typically through a vein.
2. Injection: A specialized embalming fluid—a mixture of chemicals, primarily formaldehyde and methanol—is injected into the arterial system. This solution displaces the blood, sanitizes the body, and temporarily rigidifies the tissues.

The Purpose of Embalming

Embalming serves two main, temporary purposes:

1. Sanitization: It sanitizes the body, reducing immediate biological risk.
2. Preservation/Restoration: It slows the decomposition process long enough to permit an open-casket viewing and allows for transport and a delayed funeral service. It also allows the embalmer to cosmetically restore the body's appearance.

When Is Embalming Required?

In the United States, embalming is almost never legally required by state law. The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral directors to state clearly that embalming is not required by law.

However, it becomes practically mandatory in specific situations:

• Public Viewing: If the family chooses to have an open-casket viewing or a funeral service with the body present.
• Delay: If the disposition (burial or cremation) is delayed beyond a certain period (e.g., 5 to 7 days) and refrigeration is not available.
• Interstate Transport: If the body is being transported across state lines by common carrier.

If the family chooses direct cremation or immediate closed-casket burial, refrigeration is used instead of embalming.