Does a Loved One Need to Be Embalmed Prior to Their Funeral?
There are many things that must be discussed when planning the funeral of a loved one. A certain matter may arise, and that's whether or not to embalm your loved one. Embalming involves feeding chemicals into a person's arterial network as a means of preserving their remains, generally for the purposes of presenting the remains at an open casket funeral. How do you know if this step will be necessary for your loved one?
When Embalming Is Unnecessary
It should be acknowledged that embalming is optional, and just because funeral homes will offer this service to you, you're under no obligation to proceed. In fact, there are key examples of when you definitely should not consider embalming. This is when your loved one is to be cremated immediately following a closed casket service. In this instance, embalming is an unnecessary extra expense. When your loved one is to have a natural burial, which mandates that chemical additives must be excluded from the process, then embalming may prevent your loved one from being buried in the manner of their choosing. Your funeral director will discuss this with you prior to a final decision being made.
When Embalming Is Necessary
Embalming can have some key benefits when your loved ones' remains need to be preserved. This preservation can be necessary for several reasons:
- When the service is to feature an open casket.
- When there's a delay between death and the funeral service, although this is usually an extended delay.
In these circumstances, embalming can be a valuable service in that it preserves your loved one in a manner reminiscent of how they looked in life and will keep them as such until the day of their funeral.
Possible Alternatives to Embalming
But despite the value of embalming, it might be able to achieve the required preservation without the addition of the embalming fluid. It's often possible to hold a body in refrigerated storage, although this is not an indefinite solution. If there was to be a slight delay between death and the funeral service, refrigerated storage may be sufficient. You cannot, however, rely upon this being available. It might be that no refrigerated storage for human remains is available for the required duration. Again, your funeral director can discuss this with you.
A funeral should be as individual as the person the event commemorates. This means that the question of whether or not to embalm your loved one can depend on individual circumstances. Visit a funeral home to discuss the embalming process with a professional.
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