Desiccation

The Ferengi death ritual consists primarily of preserving a Ferengi body after death by means of vaccuum dessication. 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 purpoted vaccuum dessicated 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")

The remains of Plegg which Quark attempted to sell in 2370 for a 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 remains on the Exchange where Brunt purchased the entire collection for 500 bars of latinum. (DS9: " Body Parts")

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

See also

• Bajoran death ritual
• Klingon death ritual