renniequeer:

Funeral homes and cremation services cannot legally keep the body of your loved one hostage until you pay them. You maintain rights to the body and can demand it back.

Embalming is NOT legally required.

You are not required to use a funeral home or service at all, and may hold a home viewing and funeral if you decide. 

You can prepare bodies for viewing yourself, including washing, dressing, and makeup.

Sealed caskets and burial vaults to not stop decay and exist solely to inflate prices; you do not need them.

You have more rights to the bodies of your loved ones than most people are typically aware. I recommend checking out Ask A Mortician and The Order of the Good Death for more information and articles.