As far as I know, it’s a US thing right? In the Netherlands embalming has been expressly prohibited up until 2009 I think. Granted, Dutch laws concerning what you can do with a dead body are pretty strict but embalming just seems weird to me.
Other than laws? Probably, to a degree, like an unfortunate number of things in the US, money. As of 2019, the death industry was >$20 Billion industry.
Over here in the US, we're stuck in a neoliberal hellscape where profit is more important than any human being and grief-stricken families are fair game for exploitation.
I actually don't think that is true. Caitlin Dougherty on YouTube has a video on it though. It's pushed by funeral directors because it's a big money maker for them.
It's a legal requirement.
I know, but other than manmade laws, why?
As far as I know, it’s a US thing right? In the Netherlands embalming has been expressly prohibited up until 2009 I think. Granted, Dutch laws concerning what you can do with a dead body are pretty strict but embalming just seems weird to me.
Other than laws? Probably, to a degree, like an unfortunate number of things in the US, money. As of 2019, the death industry was >$20 Billion industry.
Over here in the US, we're stuck in a neoliberal hellscape where profit is more important than any human being and grief-stricken families are fair game for exploitation.
I actually don't think that is true. Caitlin Dougherty on YouTube has a video on it though. It's pushed by funeral directors because it's a big money maker for them.