Education / Good Grief Guide

The Fascinating History of Embalming in the US

By Emily Kyle Founder & Guide Writer 1 min read

Fascinating history of embalming in the US

Why Do We Embalm Bodies at All?

Most people think embalming is just part of what happens when someone dies. But have you ever asked why we do it?

From Battlefield Necessity to Funeral Industry Norm

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.

How Embalming Became “Normal” — And Why That Matters

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.

[caption id="" align=“alignnone” width=“1080”] The Fascinating History of Embalming in the US The Fascinating History of Embalming in the US [/caption]

Written by Emily Kyle

Founder & Guide Writer

Emily writes practical guides for families dealing with estate admin, probate, planning, and the paperwork that shows up after a death.