What Is a Viewing? How Body Viewings Work, What to Expect and What They Cost

A viewing is a set time, usually before the funeral, when family and friends can see the person who died and say goodbye, most often with an open casket. It can be held at a funeral home, a place of worship or a home. Embalming is not required by law in most cases, although many funeral homes require it for a public viewing, and nobody is obliged to look at the body.

Viewing, visitation and wake: what is the difference?

These terms overlap, and their use varies by region and faith tradition.

• Viewing: guests see the body, usually in an open casket.
• Visitation: the hours when the family receives guests. The casket may be open or closed, and sometimes there is only an urn or photographs.
• Wake: a term some traditions and regions use for a gathering or vigil held before the funeral, often with food and conversation.

Our guides on wakes and on wake vs viewing vs visitation go into more detail. The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) says a viewing can be public or private and can take place at the place of death, at home, at a church or at a funeral home.

Is embalming required for a viewing?

Usually not by law. The FTC says that no state law requires routine embalming for every death, that refrigeration is an acceptable alternative in most cases, and that many funeral homes have a policy requiring embalming for public viewing, but this is not required by law in most states. The FTC suggests asking whether the funeral home offers a private family viewing without embalming.

Two more rules protect you:

• A funeral home cannot tell you that embalming is required by law unless that is true. Federal rules also bar it from claiming embalming is required for direct cremation or immediate burial.
• It can charge for embalming only if the law requires it, you gave approval, or it could not reach you after real efforts and later gets your approval.

Some states have time limits that require embalming or refrigeration if a body is not buried or cremated quickly, so ask the funeral home what applies where you live. For details, see what is embalming and viewing without embalming.

What does a viewing cost?

A viewing is not priced as a single item. The funeral home's General Price List must show separate prices for embalming, other preparation of the body, and use of facilities and staff for viewing. These are the parts of a bill that change depending on what you choose.

Total prices vary widely by funeral home and state, so there is no single national figure for a viewing. Comparing price lists is the most reliable way to see what yours would cost.

Ways to keep costs down:

• Ask for the General Price List and compare at least two funeral homes. The Funeral Rule requires funeral directors to give price information by phone if you ask.
• Ask about a private family viewing, which the FTC says some funeral homes offer without embalming.
• Think about the casket. The FTC says a funeral home cannot refuse a casket you bought elsewhere or charge a fee for handling it. For cremation, you can use an alternative container such as unfinished wood, pressed wood, fiberboard or cardboard. Some funeral homes also rent caskets for a viewing before cremation. See rental caskets.

Preparing for a viewing

The funeral home handles washing, dressing, hair and cosmetics. You can help by bringing:

• Clothing. Choose something the person would recognize as theirs, whether that is a suit, a uniform or favorite casual clothes. Ask the funeral home if you should include undergarments, socks or shoes.
• A recent photo, so the staff can match the person's usual hairstyle, glasses and makeup.
• Keepsakes for the casket, such as letters, a small book or a photo. Ask beforehand which items can go into a burial or cremation, and which jewelry you want returned to you.

Our guide on preparing a body for viewing covers the process. Other options include an open or closed casket, or a private family viewing.

What to expect if you are attending

Most viewings are quiet. The family may stand near the casket or sit nearby, and there may be photos, music or a memory table. Here is how to handle it:

1. Sign the guest book, and add how you knew the person so the family can place you later.
2. Go to the casket only if you want to. You can stop for a moment of silence or prayer, or stay at the back. If you are not sure, watch what others do.
3. Speak briefly to the family. Emily Post suggests short phrases such as "I am sorry for your loss" or "I am here for you," or a brief positive memory. She also advises avoiding lines such as "Everything happens for a reason" or "I know just how you feel."
4. Follow any dress request. Dark, neat clothes are a safe choice, but attire is not limited to black. See what to wear to a funeral.
5. Silence your phone and skip photos unless the family invites them.
6. Stay as long as feels right. A short visit is fine.

Our funeral etiquette guide covers more situations.

If you want to send flowers, check the obituary first, because some families ask for donations instead.

Should children attend?

Often, if they want to and an adult they trust can stay with them. Emily Post says a child of about 10 is typically ready to attend a funeral with a trusted adult, and that it helps to explain beforehand what will happen. If a parent is not comfortable with an open casket, she suggests skipping the visiting hours and attending the service instead. Use clear words such as "died," and tell children that they can step out at any time. See bringing children to funerals.

When a viewing may not be the right choice

Some people find that seeing the body helps them accept the death. Others find it upsetting and prefer to remember the person as they were. Neither reaction is wrong, and no one should be pressured either way.

A viewing also may not fit every tradition. Emily Post notes that in Hindu custom there is always an open casket, while the FCA says traditional Muslim, Bahá'í and Orthodox Jewish practice does not include embalming. Some traditions hold a ritual washing rather than a public viewing, so check with the family or faith community. See Jewish funeral traditions and Muslim funeral traditions.

Other options include a funeral without a viewing, a virtual or livestreamed service for people who cannot travel, or a memorial service held later.

How to arrange a viewing

1. Decide who the viewing is for and whether it is public or private.
2. Ask the funeral home for its General Price List and the viewing policy, including embalming and refrigeration.
3. Choose the place and hours. A funeral home, a place of worship or a home may all work.
4. Bring clothing, a photo and keepsakes to the funeral home.
5. Tell guests the time, dress request and whether the casket will be open.