Which of the following is true about the embalming process?

The embalming process plays a crucial role in preserving the body to allow for viewing during funerals and memorial services. While embalming can indeed serve aesthetic purposes, its primary function is preservation. This preservation helps to delay decomposition, maintain a lifelike appearance, and provide families and friends with the opportunity to pay their last respects in a dignified manner.

Choosing this option highlights the importance of embalming in the context of funeral practice, emphasizing its relevance for public health and emotional closure for the bereaved. Understanding this aspect of the embalming process is critical for those studying mortuary science, as it underlines the significance of this practice within the broader scope of funeral services and how it facilitates a positive experience for families during their time of loss.