Embalming is a process that temporarily slows the natural changes in a body after death, by replacing blood with a preservative solution, so that the person can be viewed at a visitation or funeral days later. It is not required by law in most cases, and under the federal FTC Funeral Rule a funeral home cannot charge you for embalming without your permission. Whether you need it depends on the kind of service you want, how much time passes before burial or cremation, and your state's rules.
This guide explains what embalming involves, when it may be required, your rights, and the alternatives.
What embalming is
Modern embalming is performed by a licensed embalmer, usually at the funeral home or mortuary. In general terms it involves:
- Washing and disinfecting the body.
- Arterial embalming: a preservative solution is injected into the arteries while blood is drained from the veins.
- Cavity treatment: fluids are removed from the chest and abdomen and a preservative is introduced.
- Setting the features: the eyes and mouth are closed and the face is positioned naturally.
- Cosmetic preparation: hair is styled, cosmetics are applied, and the person is dressed and placed in the casket.
Embalming is temporary. It slows decomposition for a period of time to allow for a viewing, transport or a delay before the funeral. It does not preserve a body indefinitely.
Why families choose embalming
- A public viewing or visitation with an open casket, especially several days after death
- Time for relatives to travel, when the service will be held more than a few days after death
- Restoration after illness, injury or an autopsy, so the family can see the person
- Transport, including some air shipping and international transport, where a carrier, destination or law requires it
- Personal or cultural preference
When embalming is not used
Many families do without embalming, and some traditions avoid it:
- Direct cremation or immediate burial, where there is no viewing. See direct cremation explained.
- Jewish and Muslim traditions, which generally prohibit embalming and call for prompt burial. See religious funeral customs.
- Natural (green) burial, where most natural burial grounds do not accept embalmed bodies. See green funeral options.
- A private family viewing shortly after death, which many funeral homes allow without embalming.
Is embalming required by law?
In most cases, no. The FTC Funeral Rule (16 CFR Part 453) says:
- A funeral home must not tell you embalming is required by law when it is not.
- It must not charge a fee for embalming unless you gave permission, except in limited cases where embalming is required by state law or certain other circumstances.
- Its General Price List must include a disclosure that embalming is not required by law except in certain special cases, and that you may have the right to choose an arrangement that does not require it, such as direct cremation or immediate burial.
State law varies. Some states require embalming, or refrigeration as an alternative, if burial or cremation does not happen within a set number of hours. Some require it for certain transport or in specific situations involving communicable disease, while some restrict it in those situations. Your funeral director should be able to tell you which rule applies and show you where it comes from. For more about your rights, see the FTC Funeral Rule: your rights.
Funeral home policies
Separate from the law, many funeral homes require embalming for a public viewing with an open casket. This is a business policy, not a legal requirement, and policies differ. If you want a viewing without embalming, ask:
- Do you allow a viewing without embalming? If so, under what conditions (for example, a short private viewing within a set time)?
- Do you offer refrigeration, and what does it cost per day?
- If you require embalming for a viewing, is there a less expensive viewing option?
If a home's policy does not fit your wishes, you are free to choose a different provider. See how to choose a funeral home.
Cost
Embalming is listed as its own item on the funeral home's General Price List, along with "other preparation of the body" such as dressing, cosmetics and hairdressing. Prices vary by home and region, so compare price lists. When a funeral home includes embalming in a package, you can still ask for the itemized price of each part. Learn how to read a price list in what is a General Price List.
Keep in mind that choosing embalming usually goes along with other costs: a viewing, use of the facilities and staff, and a casket. The NFDA 2023 General Price List Study reported a national median of $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial, which includes embalming. See how much does a funeral cost.
Alternatives to embalming
| Alternative | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration | Body is kept in a cooling unit at the funeral home | Delays of a few days, viewing shortly after death |
| Dry ice or cooling blankets | Body is kept cool at home or a venue | Home funerals, natural burial |
| Prompt burial or cremation | Disposition within a short time | Jewish and Muslim practice, direct cremation |
| Closed casket or memorial service | No viewing, so no need for preservation | Families who prefer to remember the person as they were |
Ask the funeral home how long it can hold a body under refrigeration and what that costs.
Safety and environmental questions
Embalming fluids commonly contain formaldehyde and other chemicals, and funeral homes follow workplace safety rules to protect embalmers. Embalming does not protect the public from infection in ordinary circumstances. Some families who are concerned about chemicals choose no embalming or a natural burial. Some providers offer embalming fluids marketed as non-formaldehyde; ask whether a particular cemetery accepts them.