What's the point in embalming? They're just getting buried anyway, right?

Question

Delaying the inevitable? Is it simply so that at funerals we don't have a green body to look at?

Answer 1

it is done to preserve the body. in embalming most of the internal organs such as the heart, lungs, liver and intestines are removed since these organs are the first to deteriorate and decay. embalming also involves the process of draining the blood and infusing of chemicals that preserve the body. most cultures like to preserve the body in order to conduct rituals such as the funeral which spans for even up to a week. this allows the significant others, families and friends of the deceased to spend ample time with their loved one before cremation or burial. you don't wanna see a decaying friend's body on his funeral would you? it's sometimes done to make the body presentable also to those who want to pay respect to the dead person.

Answer 2

After death the cells in a body start to decompose. There is generally no requirement for embalming if burial or cremation is to occur within three days. During that short a time period, decay is just beginning and bacteria harmful to a living person has not developed sufficiently to pose a threat. After the three day period, things change and many states require embalming if burial / cremation is to be later.

Furthermore, in many cases embalming is required no matter how short the time if the body is to be transported across state lines. There's no additional risk in this case, the rule is political (and possibly for the benefit of funeral directors who have a large profit built into embalming.

Personally, I think there should be no mandate for embalming if the body is contained in a sealed casket irrespective of the length of time until it is put into the ground. Current requirements are socioeconomic and sociopolitical factors. As long as people insist on open casket displays at funerals or wakes, the current system is understandable.

Answer 3

I Thought it was Done to Possibly Prevent the Spread of Disease, if Preservation of the Body is Not Important, I Can See No Reason for Requiring it (Other than Money), Especially In Cremation.

Answer 4

Most state laws now require embalming even when the body is to be cremated. Someone told me recently that is done to make sure that the deceased is, in fact, deceased.

Answer 5

Well Thank god they embalmed Anna nicole right? If not that body would be pretty nasty right about now! Then again if they didnt then we could go back to watching regular tv.

Answer 6

I think it's mainly for viewing the body at the funeral.

Answer 7

Good question.......I think it has something to do with the stench of a rotting body, and a stinky funeral parlor.

Answer 8

That's gross