What is a requirement for funeral establishments regarding embalming?

Embalming must be supervised by a licensed funeral director to ensure compliance with professional standards, legal requirements, and ethical considerations. This supervision serves as a safeguard for the practice, ensuring that the embalming process is conducted by qualified personnel who have undergone the necessary training and are knowledgeable about the procedures involved.

In many jurisdictions, such as Missouri, the law requires that the embalming process be carried out under the direction of a licensed professional to protect both the deceased and the grieving families. The oversight of a licensed funeral director ensures that all legal protocols are followed and that the embalming is done properly, minimizing the risk of improper handling of the body.

While some might consider there could be various roles involved in the embalming process, only licensed individuals with the requisite training are authorized to supervise or perform embalming to uphold public health standards and the dignity of the service.