# Why Is Embalming Still A Popular Option For Families Of Dead Loved Ones?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-embalming-still-a-popular-option-for-families-of-dead-loved-ones/522295>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 23, 2009, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-embalming-still-a-popular-option-for-families-of-dead-loved-ones/522295 "2009-12-23T05:26:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-embalming-still-a-popular-option-for-families-of-dead-loved-ones/522295/21 "2009-12-23T17:38:38Z")

</div>

> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#):
>
> From **TWDuke’s** link:  
> **Embalming has no roots in Christian religion and is common only in the U.S. and Canada.** Embalming is considered a desecration of the body by orthodox Jewish and Muslim religions. Hindus and Buddhists choosing cremation have no need for embalming.
> 
> Private or home viewing by family members and close friends can occur without embalming and is far more “traditional” than some of the services promoted by the industry under that name.
> 
> **Embalming gives funeral homes a sales opportunity to increase consumer spending (by as much as $3,000 or more) for additional body preparation, a more expensive casket with “protective” features perhaps, a more expensive outer burial container, and a more elaborate series of ceremonies.**

My grandfather, according to Jewish law, was not embalmed (and according to custom, the funeral was closed casket, which was just fine by all of us). However, we had to buy a sealed casket for him; he had prepaid for a mausoleum slot, and as the funeral director explained, the mausoleum slot is above ground, and it’s Florida, so there would be…“seepage and odor” if he had been interned in a plan pine box according to Jewish custom.

Sad. I’m sure if Grandpop had understood that, he would have gotten a cemetery plot rather than a mausoleum slot.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![qazwart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/5fc32e/32.png) [@qazwart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qazwart)\
**Post date:** [December 23, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-embalming-still-a-popular-option-for-families-of-dead-loved-ones/522295/22 "2009-12-23T17:57:32Z")

</div>

Because embalming makes scads of money for funeral homes. Embalming means public display which means fancier caskets, new clothes, a bit of cosmetic surgery, etc. That can quickly add up to a car payment on a new Mercedes.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-embalming-still-a-popular-option-for-families-of-dead-loved-ones/522295.md?page=1)