Which practice was NOT followed in ancient Jewish funerals?

In ancient Jewish funerals, the practice of cremation was prohibited due to religious beliefs that emphasized the sanctity of the body and the importance of burial. Judaism traditionally holds that the deceased should be buried in the ground as a way to show respect for the body, which is considered a creation of God. This belief is rooted in biblical texts and rabbinical teachings.

Cremation was generally seen as a pagan practice and contrary to Jewish law and custom, which is why it was not accepted among ancient Jewish communities. By contrast, embalming was not commonly practiced; instead, the Jewish tradition often involved a simple preparation of the body, focusing on the dignity of the deceased. Caskets, known as tombs or simple coffins, were also utilized in Jewish burial practices, aligning with the tradition of honoring the dead through appropriate burial rituals.