What Is Embalming? How It Works and When It Is Required

Embalming is the injection of preservative chemicals into a body to slow decomposition for a short time, usually so the person can be viewed at a visitation or funeral. It is rarely required by law. The FTC says no state law requires routine embalming for every death, and a funeral home cannot charge you for it unless the law requires it or you approve it.

How does embalming work?

The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA), a nonprofit consumer group, describes embalming as an invasive process in which embalming fluids are injected into the body to temporarily slow decomposition. The steps vary by funeral home, but the FCA lists these main stages:

1. Preparation. The body is washed, and the face and limbs are massaged to relieve stiffness. Cotton and eye caps set the features.
2. Arterial embalming. Embalming fluid is injected into the arteries while blood and other fluids are drained.
3. Cavity embalming. A hollow instrument called a trocar is used to suction fluids from the chest and abdomen, and cavity fluid is put in their place.
4. Final preparation. Incisions are closed, and the hair, nails and cosmetics are finished before dressing.

The OSHA formaldehyde page lists embalming fluid as one of formaldehyde's well-known uses. Embalming does not preserve a body permanently. The FCA says it "merely delays" natural decomposition.

Is embalming required by law?

In most cases, no. The FTC says that no state law requires routine embalming for every death. A few rules do exist:

• Time limits. The FTC says some states require embalming or refrigeration only if the body is not buried or cremated within a certain period.
• Transport. The FCA says embalming is mandated in a few cases, such as when a body moves by public transportation, and says Alabama, Arkansas and New Jersey require it when a body crosses state lines. State rules change, so confirm with the funeral home and your state's funeral board. See transporting a body across states.
• Special cases. The federal rule also recognizes "certain special cases" where law requires embalming.

What funeral homes may not do is misstate the law. Under 16 CFR 453.3, a funeral home may not claim that embalming is required by law when it is not. It also may not say embalming is required for a direct cremation, an immediate burial or a closed-casket service without viewing when refrigeration is available. Its price list must say that embalming is not required by law except in certain special cases, and that it may be needed for arrangements like a funeral with viewing.

If a funeral home tells you embalming is required, ask which law says so.

Why do people choose embalming?

Common reasons include:

• A public open-casket viewing or visitation. The FTC says many funeral homes require embalming for this, even though it is not required by law in most states.
• A longer wait before the funeral, for example while relatives travel.
• Transport that triggers a legal or carrier requirement.
• Personal or cultural preference for a peaceful, familiar appearance.

The FCA says embalming can be used for preservation for viewing, transport and research. After embalming, funeral staff may also apply cosmetics and other restorative work so the face looks natural.

What are the alternatives to embalming?

• Direct cremation or immediate burial. The FTC describes direct cremation as cremation shortly after death, without embalming and without a viewing. Direct burial is burial shortly after death without viewing or visitation. See what is direct cremation and what is direct burial.
• Refrigeration. The FTC calls refrigeration an acceptable alternative in most cases, and the FCA says it is available at hospitals and funeral homes.
• A private family viewing without embalming. The FTC suggests asking whether the funeral home offers this. See viewing without embalming.
• A closed casket. See open vs closed casket.
• Green burial. The FCA says green burial excludes embalming fluids, and the Green Burial Council's FAQ says embalming should never be required for private family visitations. The Council says states typically require a body to be preserved within about 24 to 72 hours, that 48 to 72 hours is the typical time between death and burial without embalming, and that cooling such as refrigeration can extend the time by up to a week.
• Formaldehyde-free fluids. The Green Burial Council says there are formaldehyde-free embalming fluids, including one made from essential oils that has earned its seal of approval. Ask any funeral home offering them what the product contains and how long it lasts. See the green burial guide.

Does embalming protect public health?

The FCA says that, according to the CDC, embalming provides no public health benefit. It is a preservation and presentation procedure. That is one reason families can choose direct cremation, a closed casket or refrigeration without health concerns.

There is a health issue for embalmers, though. The National Cancer Institute says the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen, and an NCI study of funeral industry workers found an association between higher formaldehyde exposure and death from myeloid leukemia. Workers use respirators and protective gear for this reason.

What does embalming cost?

Prices vary by funeral home and region. Embalming must be priced separately on the General Price List, along with other preparation of the body, and funeral homes must quote prices by phone if you ask. Ask for the list in writing and compare at least two funeral homes. See embalming costs and how to read a general price list.

Embalming and religion

Some faiths do not allow embalming. The FCA says Muslim, Bahá'í and Orthodox Jewish traditions prohibit it, and that Hindus and Buddhists who choose cremation have no need for it. Practice varies within every tradition, so ask your faith leader. See our guides to Muslim funeral traditions and Jewish funeral traditions.

How to say no, or ask for alternatives

1. Ask for the General Price List before you talk about what you want.
2. Tell the funeral home in advance that you do not want embalming, and ask how it would store the body, for example by refrigeration.
3. Ask about a private family viewing without embalming if you want to see the person.
4. Put your choice in writing, and review the itemized statement before you pay.
5. If you think a funeral home broke the rules, you can report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to your state attorney general or to your state licensing board.