What historical context did Lincoln’s funeral provide for funeral practices?

Lincoln's funeral significantly contributed to the popularization of embalming in funeral practices. His death in 1865 and the subsequent arrangements for his funeral were unprecedented in scale and attention. The use of embalming in his preparation helped to preserve his body for the lengthy journey to Springfield, Illinois, as well as for public viewing. This process attracted widespread attention and demonstrated the effectiveness of embalming to the American public, highlighting its importance for preserving the deceased for longer periods, which was particularly significant given the logistics involved in transporting his body across the country.

The visibility and extensive media coverage of Lincoln’s funeral emphasized the value of embalming, leading to its broader acceptance among the general population. This event marked a turning point in funeral practices, as it illustrated not only the importance of body preservation for public viewings but also elevated the status of embalming as a professional practice within the emerging field of mortuary science.