Why would I want to be embalmed?

I wonder that myself. When I die, I want to be put into the ground, o'natural. I don't think it is right to drian one of thier blood, and fill them up with a foriegn chemical. It's actually kind of demented if you think about it. What do other cultures who have sacred rituals at death think about that - many nations filling the dead with man made chemicals in order to view the body as if it were still alive for days after death?

I found this on the internet:

Embalming is not routinely required by law, but may be necessary if death is due to certain diseases; if final disposition is not made within a prescribed period of time; if refrigeration or immediate burial is not available; or if a body is to be transported between states or internationally in a common carrier.

Some states require embalming for transportation within the state, beyond the place where death occurred. Funeral directors may require embalming if the funeral ceremony selected by a family includes viewing, and they are generally required to ask permission of the deceased's next-of-kin verbally or in writing before embalming.

Ask your funeral director to explain any specific laws, policies, or circumstances that will influence your decisions regarding embalming.

As well as these religious laws:

All of the major branches of the Christian faith, including Catholic rites, allow embalming, with the exception of Eastern Orthodoxy, which only allows embalming if required by law or other necessity.

The Book of Mormon and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not profess against embalming. Often, due to the custom of church members dressing the deceased, embalming is given preference.

Buddhism and Taoism beliefs accept embalming as a valid practice.

Many authorities hold Hinduism does not accept embalming. In practice, this is not an adamant prohibition and embalmings for those of Hindu faith are known to happen, generally for repatriation to India or the South Pacific and for the purposes of viewing and funerary rites at the family home.

People of Bahá'í Faith are not embalmed. The body is instead washed, and then placed in a shroud of white clothes (cotton, linen or silk). The body must be buried in a cemetery that is no more than one hour's travel from the place of death and within 24 hours of death. The body is interred facing Bahji (the final resting place of the founder of the Bahá'í Faith). Specific prayers for the dead are pronounced to support the progress of the soul.

Zoroastrians traditionally hold a type of sky burial within structures known as Towers of Silence in which the body is exposed to weathering and predation to dispose of the remains, and thus embalming the body is contrary to their funeral designs. This is due to the Zoroastrian belief that the dead body is unclean and the pure elements of earth and fire should not be allowed to come into contact with it. This practice is not universally performed anymore, and many Iranian Zoroastrians perform traditional cremations and burials instead.

Muslims are required to be buried within 24 hours of death if possible. Embalming is forbidden. The body is still washed and prepared specifically for interment. This procedure is to be done according to the last will of the deceased, preferably by the spouse, or by a close relative of the deceased who is of the same gender. He or she is then dressed in a plain white burial shroud (for women, the hair, ears and neck are covered as they were in life, preserving her dignity before men who are not closely related; men are buried in their ihram, or pilgrim garb, as worn during the Hajj in Mecca). Muslims believe that the spirit remains with the body from death until after burial, which is the reason for same-day burial, as well as the aforementioned procedures; the body is treated with the same care and respect as in life so as to not cause undue stress to the deceased. For the same reason, cremation is also forbidden. Prayers and readings of the Qur'an are spoken aloud to give comfort to the deceased, and the body is not left alone even for a time following the burial, during which the deceased is buried (preferably without a casket) on his or her right side, facing Mecca.

Traditional Jewish law generally forbids embalming, and burial is to be done as soon as possible - preferably within 24 hours. However, under certain circumstances, embalming may be permitted if it is impossible to bury a person immediately (such as a crime victim), or to permit the deceased to be buried in Israel. Guidance of a Rabbi or the local chevra kadisha (Jewish Burial Society) should be sought regarding any questions, as particular circumstances may justify leniencies. Notably the Biblical Joseph was embalmed (Genesis 50:26).

There are NO laws anywhere in the US that say you must be embalmed. Embalming is done solely at the choice and discretion of the family, and whoever said that you won't fit in a casket once rigor mortis sets in obviously has no idea what rigor mortis even is, or they would know it has absolutely nothing to do with fitting in a casket. Rigor mortis is the temporary stiffening of the muscles which eventually resolves itself within 48 hours of death. (And NO, dead bodies do not ever sit up) So no, you don't have to be embalmed unless you want to or unless you choose a funeral with an open casket, wherein embalming may be required.

There is no law that you have to be embalmed in the U.S.A. You can put how you want your remains to be disposed of in your will. And you can make pre-death arrangements with a mortuary. Most morturaries let you choose what you want for yourself and pay ahead, so all the family has to do when you die is to call the mortuary to pick you up.

I'd rather be part of a place I have loved when the time comes. So I've chosen to be cremated and the ashes scattered in the Caribbean close to the coast of Mexico.

It is not a law to be embalmed but I believe if you're not embalmed then your body has to be buried or burned or whatever within a certain time period. If you don't plan to have a wake, then it is absolutely not necessary.

Make sure those close to you know your wishes though!! Make out a living will!!

The reason they do it is because there were some times (before they started embalming) where people came back to life...only they were buried in their coffin. They know this becuase of some people being dug back up and they had scratched on the coffin lid trying to get out.

I doubt you want to wake up inside a small box 6 feet under the ground where no one can hear your screams for help.

Burial rites are one of the criteria that separate some religions from others and also that make a world belief a religion.

Legally in the US you must be embalmed (this prevents rotting of the flesh and smell of death). You may also be cremated. If there are certain strict burial rites that are religious based, the laws may be waved.

No, it's not a law. Look at Anna Nicole. She's starting to turn. But anyway, it is only necessary if a viewing is expected. IIRC there is no embalming in Judaism, for example.

its' not all about you , dead bodies carry bacteria that effects others rigamortis sets in so dont' plan on fitting in a casket without it and the stentch is unbelieveable of a dead body the embalming stops the odor that would gag a magot otherwise.. lighten up .. your dead embalming is neccessary

The time between your death and the funeral would allow for quite a bit of stink. That would be another reason to do it. You don't want people at your funeral puking all over the place while they are saying their goodbyes do you?

I wouldn't want to be embalmed.....Dust to dust....the ancient way is the best.....wrap in muslim & be placed in a pine box.