Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 50:1-6

"And Joseph fell upon his father`s face, and wept upon him, and kissed him. And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel. And forty days were fulfilled for him; for so are fulfilled the days of embalming: and the Egyptians wept for him three-score and ten days. And when the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spake unto the house of Pharaoh, saying, If now I have found favor in your eyes, speak, I pray you, in the ears of Pharaoh, saying, My father made me swear, saying, Lo, I die: in my grave which I have digged for me in the land of Canaan, there shalt thou bury me. Now therefore let me go up, I pray thee, and bury my father, and I will come again. And Pharaoh said, Go up, and bury thy father, according as he made thee swear." — Genesis 50:1-6 (ASV)

Though pious relatives and friends have lived to a good old age, and we are confident they have gone to glory, yet we may regret our own loss and pay respect to their memory by lamenting them. Grace does not destroy natural affection, but purifies, moderates, and regulates it.

The departed soul is beyond the reach of any tokens of our affection. However, it is proper to show respect to the body, for which we await a glorious and joyful resurrection, regardless of what may become of its remains in this world. Thus Joseph showed his faith in God and love for his father. He ordered the body to be embalmed, or wrapped with spices, to preserve it.

See how vile our bodies are when the soul has forsaken them; they will in a very short time become foul and offensive.