According to Jewish tradition, the body, having contained a G-dly soul, is sacred and should not be tampered with in any way. Instead, we are commanded to return it to its creator as is (and as quickly as possible).

Embalming is a very intrusive process which involves removing and the disposal (!) of the blood and other bodily fluids.

Take note that the primary reason for embalming is for the body to be presentable at the wake and for the "viewing session" which normally occur several days after death.

However, Jewish law: a) doesn’t allow for viewings. As mentioned earlier, the body is sacred and isn't an artifact which we ogle; and b) doesn't allow a delay of more than 24 hours before burial (unless there are extenuating circumstances).

According to Jewish tradition, the body, having contained a G-dly soul, is sacred and should not be tampered with in any way. We are commanded to return it to its creator as is (and as quickly as possible)

The following paragraphs are from http://www.funerals.org/faq/embalm.htm (a website with no connection to any religion):

"Embalming provides no public health benefit, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Canadian health authorities. Hawaii and Ontario forbid embalming if the person died of certain contagious diseases. Many morticians have been taught, however, that embalming protects the public health, and they continue to perpetrate this myth."

"Embalming gives funeral homes a sales opportunity to increase consumer spending (by as much as $3,000 or more) for additional body preparation, a more expensive casket with "protective" features perhaps, a more expensive outer burial container, and a more elaborate series of ceremonies."

"I think the elaborate expensive display of an open casket with all the makeup in the slumber room enforces the belief that the person is only asleep, and in my personal opinion would only help to prolong the stage of denial" -- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in Questions and Answers on Death and Dying.