It is a question families ask with hesitation. It concerns the body of someone they love, and the reluctance is entirely natural. To give the answer first: if the deceased is to be brought home by air, embalming is required. It is not a matter of choice, but a step required by international transport regulations and by the entry rules of each country.
WHY IS IT REQUIRED
There are three reasons.
✓ Air transport regulations — airlines and international rules do not accept the transport of remains that have not been hygienically prepared
✓ The destination country’s entry rules — most countries require a certificate of embalming, and without it customs clearance is not granted
✓ To care for the deceased — a long journey takes days; embalming preserves the deceased hygienically and with dignity throughout that time
The Embalming Certificate issued after the procedure is a required document for both the consular verification at the embassy and customs clearance.
HOW IS IT CARRIED OUT
Embalming is performed by professionally trained staff in a hygienic facility. The body is disinfected and treated to prevent deterioration. Throughout the entire process, the deceased is treated with respect — and where there are religious or cultural requests, we proceed accordingly.
For Muslims, for example, the Islamic washing (ghusl) and prayer can be performed first at a mosque by an imam, with the embalming carried out afterwards — the religious rites and the procedure can go hand in hand.
ARE THERE CASES WHERE IT IS NOT NEEDED
Yes. Where the deceased is cremated in Korea and the ashes are brought home, embalming is not required, because ashes are not subject to the regulations governing the transport of remains. Some families choose cremation and ash transport for this reason, to reduce the cost and the procedural burden. However, depending on the deceased’s religion and wishes and the home country’s rules, cremation may not be an option — we can look at this together during consultation.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE
The embalming itself is usually completed within a day. The certificate is issued afterwards, and with it the consular verification and customs procedures follow.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS
If anything about embalming worries you, please ask — anything at all. We will explain honestly what the process involves and how the deceased is cared for. There is no charge for asking, and contacting us places you under no obligation.
We are a specialist provider performing embalming to international standards ourselves. 24-hour assistance: +82-10-3668-3439 | WhatsApp available