Life always ends in death. Death is something that most people don't like to think about but it is inevitable. Other people think deeply and plan what will actually happen to their mortal body. As long as we live, difficult decisions and choices will have to be made; also what we want to happen to our body after death. Societies no longer simply bury or cremate; corpses are preserved, reused and recycled. The United States of America, as well as other countries, offer traditional, unorthodox, and unusual disposal options, influenced by culture, religion, or cost factors. For centuries, other cultures have sought to preserve their dead. The Egyptians were the first known society to preserve their dead through embalming techniques (“Brief,” par 2). After the collapse of Egyptian society there is little news of embalming (2). European Catholic dignitaries, monarchs, and aristocrats first used funeral embalming techniques in the 13th century to transport mortal bodies over long distances (Pascale and Lemonnier, 9). . Mortal bodies were filled with expensive fragrant herbs that had antiseptic qualities (10). It was not until the Civil War of 1860 that embalming of the dead was practiced in the United States (“Brief,” par 7). Today, in the 21st century, this popular and traditional choice is made by most citizens of the United States. In our selfish society, the cost of between $500 and $1,200 is paid without hesitation to ensure that we are still presentable for our final gathering with friends and family. However, most people don't want to know details beyond costs or think about the actual embalming process. Funeral embalming preserves a corpse from decay so that it can be displayed with dignity in the tomb... center of the card......Burial - PROMISE: A new option. Np, nd Web. April 10, 2014..Cannon, James. “Cremation companies help marine life after death: graves and other objects act as artificial reefs and promote marine life.” Florida Times-Union, The (Jacksonville, FL) August 31, 2009: Newspaper source. Network. 19 April 2014."Dispersion of ashes at sea." Eternal cliffs. Np, nd Web. 13 April 2014. .Cohen, Elizabeth, John Bonifield, and Renea Lyon. “Ten uses for your body after death.” CNN. Cable News Network, October 28, 2010. Web. April 19, 2014.."Opinion on ethical issues raised by the use of cadavers for preservation or museum display." Jahrbuch Für Wissenschaft Und Ethik 16.1 (2012): 549-556. Academic research completed. Network. April 20. 2014.