No. It is your choice. It may depend on such factors as whether the family selected a service with a public viewing of the body with an open casket, or to enhance the deceased’s appearance for a private family viewing; if the body is going to be transported by air or rail, or because of the length of time prior to the cremation.
(Source: ICCFA FAQs: http://consumer.iccfa.com/faq)
Cremation has always been a desirable option for me. I like it because it’s very simple and that’s how I’ve always lived my life. I don’t like making a big deal out of things or being the center of attention. Also the embalming process has always kind of scared me. I like that with cremation, you don’t have to do that at all.