Desiccation

A disk of vacuum desiccated remains.

The Ferengi death ritual consists primarily of preserving a Ferengi body after death by means of vacuum desiccation. The process results in the Ferengi's body being reduced to a near powder, which is often stored in a set of 52 disks, marked with the Ferengi Seal of Dismemberment, and sold as a collectible on the Ferengi Futures Exchange.

The status of the Ferengi in life determines the price set on a disk of their remains. In 2369 the purported vacuum desiccated remains of Grand Nagus Zek were selling for 20 bars of latinum per disk. Nava was originally hesitant to pay that price but purchased a disk anyway when Krax promised him it would be worth twice as much in a year. (DS9: "The Nagus")

As Zek was later revealed to be alive, it is unclear whose desiccated remains, exactly, they were selling.

In order to ensure that the body of the deceased is in the best condition for desiccation, autopsies on Ferengi bodies are strictly prohibited. Doctor Beverly Crusher violated this rule, and the Prime Directive, in 2369 when she performed an autopsy on the body of Ferengi scientist Reyga. (TNG: "Suspicions")

Beverly Crusher described Reyga's family's request as a desire to have his body returned without an autopsy for burial, not desiccation. However, it is possible that they were lying about their true intentions, perhaps fearing that Starfleet officers would not honor their wishes otherwise.

The remains of Plegg, which Quark attempted to sell in 2370 for three strips of latinum per disk, were not as highly valued and were also discovered to be frauds. (DS9: "The Alternate")

In 2372 Quark, after being mis-diagnosed with Dorek Syndrome, auctioned his own remains on the Exchange where Brunt purchased the entire collection for 500 bars of latinum. (DS9: "Body Parts")

See also

• Bajoran death ritual
• Funeral
• Lurian death ritual
• Klingon death ritual
• Ktarian death ritual
• Vhnori death ritual