Viewing the Body
Question
My grandfather has passed away and the family would like to have a viewing of the body. Is this permissible?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
Displaying the body at a funeral goes against Jewish values. In fact, even in the non-Jewish world where this is practiced it is a relatively new practice as it was historically only customary to do such things for kings and emperors. There are a number of reasons why it is forbidden.
One reason is that preparing a body for a viewing requires manipulating the body which often includes injecting it with chemicals, putting make up on the face, and dressing it in nice clothing, all of which are forbidden from the perspective of Jewish law.
Putting the body on display shows disregard for the honor and respect due to the dead. A person's last right should be the right of privacy and the right of remaining untampered with after death. It is shocking this practice of viewing the body -and all that is done in order to make it happen- is called "paying our last respects."
It is a non-Jewish practice and forbidden accordingly.
SOURCES: Horayos 13b; Kol Bo