Embalming is the temporary disinfection, preservation, and restoration of the dead human body, usually performed so that a formal public viewing of the remains can be held. It is never a means of permanent preservation, although it allows a family to take time to make important decisions, without the hurried disposition of the remains. Restoration can be performed to return the remains to an acceptable condition for viewing, especially after a traumatic death.

In New York State embalming, in nearly all situations, is not required by law. As is the case in most states, however, embalming is required when a reportable contagious disease caused the death or when the remains are to be transported from one state to another by common carrier (airlines, etc.). Embalming sanitizes and provides temporary preservation of the body, decelerates the decomposition process, and enhances the appearance of a body disfigured by traumatic death or illness. See similar questions...

No. This is a service provided by funeral homes. Embalmers, whether they work privately or are employees of funeral homes are required by the State to have a license to perform this service. You may ask a funeral home or private embalmer to produce their license upon request. See similar questions...

Except in special cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be necessary or preferable if you select certain funeral arrangements, such as a funeral with a public viewing. You are not required by law to purchase a burial vault. However, some cemeteries do require that you purchase a vault in order to be buried there. These cemeteries have established this requirement because vaults help to maintain the integrity of the grave by preventing the ground from settling. See similar questions...

No. Oregon law requires that human remains held longer than 24 hours after death be either embalmed, refrigerated, or cremated. There can be circumstances when embalming will be required by a cemetery for entombment in a Mausoleum or to transfer the remains across state lines. See similar questions...

No, embalming is not required by law except under certain circumstances (for example, when shipping the body to another state). Under federal rules, a funeral home may not embalm a body (or charge for it) without authorization from the family. Embalming disinfects the body and replaces certain fluids with chemicals. This helps preserve the body for a few days so that the deceased may be viewed before burial or cremation. See similar questions...

Except in certain special cases, embalming is not required by law. Embalming may be necessary, however, if you select certain funeral arrangements such as viewing or visitation with an open casket. You do not have to pay for embalming you did not approve if you select arrangements such as a direct cremation or immediate burial. If the funeral home must charge to conduct an embalming, your designee will be notified of the reasons in writing. See similar questions...

Embalming through the use of preservative chemicals, makes it possible to lengthen the time between death and the final disposition, thus allowing family members time to arrange and participate in the type of service most comforting to them. See similar questions...

Embalming is the use of chemicals, internally and externally, to disinfect and temporarily preserve the body for open casket viewing and/or for the removal of the body to distant destinations. No, Texas law does not require embalming at any time. Most common carriers will require that a body be embalmed prior to shipping and the laws of the destination state will apply. See similar questions...