Which aspect of the funeral service involves preparing the body for viewing?

Embalming is the process specifically designed for preparing the body for viewing by preserving it, thus allowing families and friends to pay their last respects in a dignified manner. This practice helps delay decomposition, ensuring that the body remains suitable for viewing during the visitation or funeral service.

In contrast, cremation involves the reduction of the body to ashes through high heat, which does not allow for traditional viewing. Burial, while it might involve preparing the body, typically signifies the final interment and does not include the preservation aspect necessary for viewing. Funeral planning encompasses the overall organization of the memorial service but does not directly pertain to the physical preparation of the body itself.