Are funeral homes required to provide embalming services for all deceased individuals?

Funeral homes are not required to provide embalming services for all deceased individuals. The correct answer is that embalming is only necessary when mandated by law or if specific requests are made by the family. In many cases, embalming is not required unless there are certain conditions, such as when the body is being transported across state lines or if the funeral service will be delayed for an extended period, which may necessitate preservation of the body.

Under Tennessee law, families have the right to decide whether or not they want embalming. If there are no legal obligations or personal requests from the family that necessitate the service, funeral homes are allowed to conduct arrangements without embalming. This approach respects the family's wishes and acknowledges the diverse cultural and religious practices surrounding death and body care.