Is Embalming Always Necessary?

Many people see embalming as a necessary part of the funeral and disposition process. When a loved one passes away, it’s common for family and friends to want to see them one final time. Even if they have chosen cremation services near Glenview, IL, they may still want a traditional funeral to take place. Most funerals are preceded by a viewing, which requires embalming services. However, not every family chooses to do this, and it is by no means a necessary thing to do. 

One example of when a family may choose not to purchase embalming services is if they are planning to hold a memorial service at a later date. They may have lots of family members who live far away, and they need more time to plan something that works for everyone to travel. On the other hand, their loved one may have wanted their memorial service to take place outdoors, in a meaningful location. This would require a date that takes place during the warmer months, especially in a seasonal climate. In either of these cases, the family may simply have their loved one’s remains cremated, waiting to plan the memorial service rather than having a traditional funeral. A funeral requires a relatively short timeline, and this is not always possible for every situation. 

Another instance when embalming wouldn’t be necessary is if your loved one expressed the wish to have a simple and direct cremation. Perhaps their family was small and they simply want to have a private, final goodbye. This can be done without embalming services prior to cremation. Maybe they simply didn’t want a viewing to take place, for their own personal reasons. While it can give family and friends a sense of closure, it is important to honor the wishes of the deceased. 

The main times when embalming is necessary is when a family wishes to have a viewing and traditional funeral. This may be followed by burial or cremation services. A viewing is a good way for family and friends to see their loved one a final time, which can be helpful in moving forward with the grieving process. It can allow for people to finally accept the reality of their loss, as painful as it may be. Each family’s situation is unique, and they will have to consider what will work best for them. 

As you can see, embalming is beneficial in some cases, but it is certainly not a necessary part of making a person’s final arrangements. Whether you are planning a memorial service to take place at a later time, or your loved one simply expressed the wish for minimal services, you may not need to go forward with embalming at all. If you have chosen cremation services near Glenview, IL, your provider can help you figure out what the best arrangements would be for your family. It’s important to honor the wishes of your loved one, as well as take care of the surviving family members’ needs and wants. That way, you can move forward together and offer support to those you love. Contact us for immediate need.