What process involves the natural breakdown of bodies after death?

The process that involves the natural breakdown of bodies after death is decomposition. Decomposition is a biological process where organic matter is broken down by microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. This process is part of the natural cycle of life and death, allowing nutrients to be returned to the soil and contributing to the ecosystem.

In contrast, embalming refers to the preservation of a body using chemicals to delay decomposition, often for funeral purposes. Preservation specifically focuses on maintaining the appearance and condition of the body for a longer duration, which is fundamentally different from the natural process of decomposition. Cremation, another option, involves the incineration of the body, reducing it to ashes, and is not a form of breakdown that occurs naturally in the environment. Each of these other processes has specific functions and uses, but they do not describe the natural decay that occurs post-mortem.