The assassination of Abraham Lincoln in April 1865 marked a turning point in American history. His presidency had already been transformative, but his death triggered a shift that no one saw coming – the rise of the modern funeral industry. Before Lincoln, funerals were simple, private affairs, often held in homes with minimal preparation for the deceased. But thanks to one crucial decision – to embalm his body and put it on public display – the entire concept of death, mourning, and funerals changed forever.
Death Before Lincoln: A Simpler Time
Before the Civil War, Americans handled death without much ceremony. When a person passed away, their body was washed, dressed, and laid out in their home. The goal was to bury them quickly – for practical reasons. Without modern preservation techniques, decomposition happened fast. Families used candles and flowers to mask the smell, but there was no way to stop nature from taking its course. Funerals were short, local affairs, with burials happening within a day or two.
This all changed when war arrived. The Civil War left unprecedented numbers of dead soldiers, and many families wanted their loved ones brought home for burial. The problem? Bodies couldn’t survive long journeys without decomposing. This created a demand for embalming, a new technique that had only recently arrived in the U.S.
The Civil War Created the Embalming Industry
Though embalming had existed in Europe since the 1830s, it was practically unknown in America until the Civil War. As thousands of young men died far from home, their families became desperate to bring them back for burial. This demand led to the rise of professional embalmers, who would preserve bodies so they could make the long journey home.
These embalmers were far from subtle about their services. Some even approached soldiers before battle, offering their services should they be needed. The practice became so widespread that the military had to ban embalmers from talking to soldiers, fearing it hurt morale. Despite this, the demand continued, and by the war’s end, over 40,000 fallen soldiers had been embalmed.
The Business of Death Became a Profitable Game
As embalming became more common, some embalmers saw an opportunity to cash in. Many exploited grieving families, charging outrageous fees to retrieve and prepare bodies. The U.S. government even paid embalmers directly, offering $30 per soldier and $80 per officer – a small fortune at the time.
As a result, some embalmers literally fought over bodies after battles. This practice became so exploitative that in March 1865, the War Department issued General Order No. 39, requiring embalmers to obtain a license and follow set price limits. Unfortunately, by the time the law passed, the war was almost over, meaning most embalmers had already made their fortunes.
Lincoln’s Death Changed Everything
Abraham Lincoln was already a widely beloved president, and when he was assassinated, his death became a national event. His Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, believed that the public would want to see their fallen leader one last time. But there was a problem – without preservation, Lincoln’s body wouldn’t last long enough for a national farewell.
Enter Dr. Charles Brown and Dr. Harry Cattell, two embalmers tasked with preserving Lincoln’s remains for an extended period. Using a custom embalming fluid, they managed to keep Lincoln’s body intact for weeks. This allowed the president to be put on display across the country, something that had never been done before.
The Funeral Tour That Shocked a Nation
Lincoln’s body was placed on a 1,600-mile funeral train tour, stopping in 180 cities and towns over seven states. At each stop, thousands of Americans lined up for hours to get a glimpse of their president. This was a first in American history – never before had the public been so involved in the mourning process.
For weeks, people saw what embalming could do. Lincoln’s body remained largely intact, proving that death didn’t have to mean rapid decay. This idea fascinated people. If embalming could preserve a president, why not use it for loved ones? The funeral industry took notice, and soon embalming became a standard practice.
The Ugly Side of a Long Funeral
While Lincoln’s embalming was groundbreaking, it wasn’t perfect. Traveling thousands of miles, exposed to shifting temperatures, took a toll. By the time the funeral train reached New York, Lincoln’s body had begun to deteriorate. Reports described his face as “wan and shrunken,” and by the end of the journey, his remains had significantly changed.
Even so, the public wasn’t deterred. Many had never seen a preserved body before, and the sight of Lincoln – weeks after death – was enough to convince them that embalming was a revolutionary process.
Lincoln’s Death Cemented the Funeral Industry
Before Lincoln, embalming was a rarely used technique. After his funeral tour, it became an American tradition. The demand for embalming skyrocketed, and soon funeral homes began offering it as a standard service.
Suddenly, death was no longer a quick, private affair. Families held extended wakes, funerals became grander, and viewing the body became a common practice.
As the industry grew, embalming became more advanced. New chemicals – including formaldehyde – improved preservation, making it easier to maintain a lifelike appearance. Funeral homes profited immensely, turning embalming into a multi-billion-dollar industry.
The Funeral Boom of the 20th Century
By the early 1900s, embalming was no longer just for presidents and soldiers – it was for everyone. The funeral business became a massive industry, with expensive caskets, elaborate services, and customized memorials. Death was no longer about simple burials – it became a high-cost, highly ritualized process.
With embalming as the norm, funeral homes became major businesses, offering high-end services that often cost families thousands of dollars. What started as a way to preserve a president turned into an industry that thrived on grief and tradition.
Is Embalming on Its Way Out?
Today, the funeral industry is changing again. As people become more environmentally conscious, embalming is facing new challenges. The chemicals used – especially formaldehyde – are harsh on the environment. Many are turning to “green burials,” which skip embalming entirely. Cremation has also become more popular, further reducing the demand for traditional funeral services.
But despite these changes, Lincoln’s influence on the industry remains. His embalmed body, seen by millions, shaped how Americans think about death. Even today, many expect embalming as part of the funeral process – a legacy that started with Lincoln’s funeral tour.
Lincoln: The Accidental Funeral Industry Pioneer
Few people could have predicted that Lincoln’s death would launch an industry, but that’s exactly what happened. His assassination forced the country to rethink how it handled death, and the result was the rise of the modern funeral business.
What was once a small, rare practice became a billion-dollar industry, all because one man’s body had to be preserved long enough for the nation to say goodbye.
Raised in a small Arizona town, Kevin grew up surrounded by rugged desert landscapes and a family of hunters. His background in competitive shooting and firearms training has made him an authority on self-defense and gun safety. A certified firearms instructor, Kevin teaches others how to properly handle and maintain their weapons, whether for hunting, home defense, or survival situations. His writing focuses on responsible gun ownership, marksmanship, and the role of firearms in personal preparedness.