[Embalming: ritual and symbol of power in the West].

Western embalming follows two main goals: a practical function of post-mortem body conservation at least the long time necessary for the organization of a funeral ceremony. But also a theological function with the transformation of the dead body into a good smelling corpse that will be received in Paradise during the "apotheosis". Several forensic anthropological and osteo-archaeological recent studies have enlightened the complexity of such practices. We present here the main results of such studies carried out by our research team.