When is embalming legally required?

Embalming is legally required when transporting a body across state lines due to the Interstate Commerce Commission and regulations set forth by the Federal Trade Commission. This requirement helps to preserve the remains and minimize potential health risks during transport, ensuring that the body is in an appropriate condition while being moved from one jurisdiction to another.

While there may be other situations where local laws or health regulations could influence the need for embalming, the specific legal requirement tied to interstate transportation is well established to facilitate the movements of bodies for funerals or burials that occur across state boundaries. This need for embalming during transportation aligns with health and safety standards, which aim to address the possibility of disease spread and maintain respect for the deceased.