In what scenario may public services be held after a death?

Public services can be held after a death primarily under the condition that the body is embalmed or placed in a sealed casket. Embalming helps to preserve the body temporarily, making it suitable for public viewing, and it also supports public health considerations. When a body is sealed in a casket, it also prevents direct contact, which reassures attendees about health and safety concerns during the viewing.

While there might be certain exceptions and allowances under local laws or regulations, embalming typically serves as a standard practice in the funeral industry to address the needs of family and friends who wish to attend a public service without the distress of viewing an unembalmed body. Thus, the requirements associated with public services hinge significantly on whether proper preservation methods, like embalming, are employed.