What role does embalming serve in the context of funerals?

Embalming primarily serves to preserve the body for viewing, which is essential in many funeral practices. This preservation allows the deceased to be displayed in a respectful and presentable manner during visitations or wake services. By employing chemicals, typically formaldehyde-based solutions, the embalming process slows down decomposition and maintains the body’s appearance over time, enabling family and friends to say their goodbyes in a manner that feels more personal and connected.

While embalming can have other roles, such as enhancing the deceased's appearance and preparing the body for burial, its fundamental purpose in the context of funerals is preservation. This facilitates the viewing process, which is significant for closure and memorialization for the bereaved. Legal requirements for embalming vary by jurisdiction and specific situations (like transportation of bodies), but they do not universally define the purpose of embalming within funeral services. Hence, its primary function aligns closely with allowing for an appropriate viewing experience.