Editing Burial (section)

===Prevention of decay===
[[Image:Predynastic human mummy, EA 32751.jpg|thumb|A naturally [[mummified]] body in the [[British Museum]]]]
[[Embalming]] is the practice of preserving a body against decay and is used in many cultures. [[Mummification]] is a more extensive method of embalming, further delaying the decay process.

Bodies are often buried wrapped in a [[shroud]] or placed in a [[coffin]] (or in some cases, a ''casket''). A larger container may be used, such as a [[Ship burial|ship]]. In the U.S., coffins are usually covered by a [[grave liner]] or a [[burial vault (enclosure)|burial vault]], which prevents the coffin from collapsing under the weight of the earth or floating away during a flood.

These containers slow the decomposition process by (partially) physically blocking decomposing [[bacteria]] and other organisms from accessing the corpse. An additional benefit of using containers to hold the body is that if the soil covering the corpse is washed away by a [[flood]] or some other natural process then the corpse will still not be exposed to open air.