Viewing An Unembalmed Body: Fill & Download for Free

Yes you can, and I am an American funeral director and embalmer.I have even done open casket unembalmed viewings for people who had full autopsies.Typically, a funeral home will only allow such a viewing on their premises if it is immediate family only. This is not due to a state law, but rather individual funeral home policies. An embalmed body on display is advertising for the funeral home. Unembalmed bodies, even if they die with no trauma or serious medical problems, just will not look as good and the funeral home doesn't want to risk its reputation by presenting bodies in this manner to the general public.I practice in Washington state, where it is legal for a family to keep an unembalmed body in their own home and hold their own viewing, for whomever they wish, for up to three days.If you want a church service, typically the church will not allow an open casket with an unembalmed body.

Depends on where you live.Do all bodies need to be embalmed and put in boxes before burial for legal reasons, or can your body just be buried naturally and allowed to decompose?California does not require embalming[1][1][1][1]Is embalming required by law in California?Californian law states that embalming is not required. However, a funeral establishment must refrigerate an unembalmed body in its possession within 24 hours if disposition by burial or cremation does not otherwise take place. You may wish to authorize embalming if there will be a delay before a public viewing period, however, you need to realize that embalming does not prevent decomposition.Caskets are not required in California[2][2][2][2]Caskets are not required by California law, however, there may be cemetery or mausoleum restrictions regarding caskets and outer burial containers or vaults. The law does not require a casket for cremation but some type of container such as a cardboard box or canvas pouch is usually required by the crematory.Bodies can only be buried in established cemeteries in California[3][3][3][3]. You would have to check with the individual cemetery to see if they allow a direct burial without a containerWhere can bodies be buried in California?In California, bodies must be buried in established cemeteries. City or county authorities have the authority to establish and regulate burial grounds. (California Health & Safety Code § 8115.) If you want to bury a body on private land, check with the municipal or county zoning department to find out whether you can establish a family cemetery; it may be possible if you live in a rural area.Footnotes[1] Arranging a Funeral or Cremation in California[1] Arranging a Funeral or Cremation in California[1] Arranging a Funeral or Cremation in California[1] Arranging a Funeral or Cremation in California[2] California Requirement for Funeral Services[2] California Requirement for Funeral Services[2] California Requirement for Funeral Services[2] California Requirement for Funeral Services[3] Burial and Cremation Laws in California[3] Burial and Cremation Laws in California[3] Burial and Cremation Laws in California[3] Burial and Cremation Laws in California

Yes, but not for as long as an embalmed one. The human body, like any dead body, begins to decay the moment all functions stop. BTW, are you aware that in the USA, embalming is NOT mandatory?