The Fascinating History of Embalming in the US
Most people think embalming is just part of what happens when someone dies. But have you ever asked why we do it?
The truth is, embalming in the U.S. didn't start as a sacred tradition—it started on the battlefield. What began as a way to preserve bodies during the Civil War quickly evolved into a lucrative industry built on fear, convenience, and the promise of control.
Over time, shifting cultural attitudes—and clever marketing—turned a niche medical procedure into a funerary norm. In this post, we'll explore how embalming became so ingrained in American death rituals, and why it might be time to rethink what we've been told it means to "prepare" a body for burial.
