Mummification itself is not strictly illegal in many Western countries, including the United States and the UK, but it is highly regulated by modern "disposal of human remains" laws. In the US, the legality often falls under state-level funeral and burial statutes. A company called Summum, based in Utah, is currently the only organization that legally performs "Modern Mummification." To do this, they must navigate complex health department regulations regarding the permanent preservation of a body. In most jurisdictions, you cannot simply perform a DIY mummification at home due to sanitation and public health laws that require bodies to be handled by licensed funeral directors and disposed of via approved methods (like burial, cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis). While "human composting" and "green burials" are becoming more legal in 2026, traditional mummification remains a rare, expensive, and legally complex niche. If you wish to be mummified, you must typically arrange it through a specialized legal entity that ensures the process meets all environmental and safety standards.