I dont understand how this answers the question, this is an explanation of the practice, but not the reason for the universally jewish tradition of not displaying the deceased. Rather, it (as shown in my answer) is purely a halachic issue based off the talmud.

@Nafkamina your answer provides a reason and an important one, but the question doesn't only ask for halachic sources. Matters of sensitivity are also important reasons.

i agree they are, but in regards to the universal jewish ritual, rabbinical sources are primary, not Dr Ron Wolfson, who in the link provided does not quote any traditional rabbinical sources. The source of the tradition is from the talmud, as well as the reason (the feelings of the poor)

The question asks what is the basis for jewish funerals always having closed caskets, an obscure Dr. is not the reason for why they are always closed caskets.

Technically your g'mara doesn't establish the halacha either, just history. Later rabbis could have concluded that since the faces of the poor usually don't look different from those of the rich now, that's not what we do. Or, for that matter, we often find both "X" and "not X" somewhere in the g'mara; without a "the halacha is X", it's hard to tell. A citation from Shulchan Aruch would strengthen your answer. You're free to narrow your interpretation of the question of course, but I answered the question that was asked. So did you. Neither of us did so completely. What's the big deal?

beacause dr wolfson idea is pure conjecture. his explanation could be valid of he decided to bury his deceased closed casket, but not for why this has been the custom for 2000+ years

And Chabad is too?

i hope to add more to my answer per your suggestion.

chabad as you point out doesnt cite a source...

So I don't want to have a long discussion in comments (that's not what they're for and these will likely be flushed), but do note that the person asked why "in the US today" we don't do this, so while halacha is of course relevant, there is more nuance in the question. I read the OP as asking for philosophy as much as halacha; he's clearly (IMO) coming from the perspective of "those other guys do this; why is it we don't?". I think it's important to meet an asker where he is, so to speak. There are multiple approaches to answering this question and they all bear on it.

granted, but what makes dr wolfson conjecture raise to the level of legitemate reasoning behind the widespread practice. nice idea, possibly. reason? no. if i wear teffilin because of style does that make style the reason why jews for 3000+ years have worn teffilin, because that is your implication.

My Jewish Learning, Judaism 101, & Chabad are all reputable "entry-level" sites. They often fail to cite sources, so they're far from ideal, but if they had a habit of posting incorrect information, they would have a different reputation. What I cited here matches what I have heard from many rabbis over the years when talking about funeral practices. I believe that even if we did not have halacha on this, we would still behave this way for the reasons given in my answer. I mean, we even cover the challah so it won't feel slighted by kiddush; there are factors beyond halacha in how we behave.

we cover the challah because of kedimus in hilchos brachos, the opinion of embarrasment is not brought down as the predominent basis for covering the challah. furthermore, i agree there is more beyond halacic factors, but the gemara clearly shows unlike your assumption, that the bodies were displayed!

what does not doing it for 2 mellenia have to do with its permissibilty?

"here" meaning "in comments"; we were posting at the same time.

@Nafkamina What does "they were displayed once upon a time" have to do with anything? You seem to be arguing that it's relevant; I'm not.

Rav Bakshi Doron forbids displaying the dead based off my citation

i admit i am culpbile in not furtherinhg mypost in shwoing the direct relevance to nowadays

i am currently involved in that, i do suggest to you though that based off my arguments your answer should not be considered an answr

I'm glad you're working to improve your answer. Perhaps the OP will even accept it; if it's the better answer he should, but ultimately that's his call. (Acceptance just means "what helped me most", so depending on where he's coming from, that could be either.) I disagree that mine is not an answer, but if you feel that way you're welcome to flag (I'll recuse myself of course) or bring it up in Bam or on meta.

(Recuse myself in terms of acting on the flag as a mod, I mean. If there's a discussion I'll certainly participate.)

you havent answered the substance of my argument

how is Dr ron wolfson philosophy the reason for jewish burial always being covered

I used his explanation because it concisely and cogently explains the issue. I'm not citing him as the source. I've heard lots of people say the same thing. Should I clarify that?

absolutely, but you should include citations. also paranthetically is Dr. Wolfson orthodox?

I don't know. I'm relying on MJL's track record of using reasonable sources.

Most of what I've heard has been in lectures, in chevra kadisha discussions, and the like; I don't have specific halachic sources. It's a prevalent teaching, and I'll edit to clarify that.

Based on some cursory web searches, dr wolfson is affiliated with the reform and reconstructionist movements. i would even more strongly suggest to either clarify that point, or remove any mention, being that that certainly is not reflective of traditional jewish practice

*he is not reflective/representative

@Nafkamina It clearly answers the question. It may or may not be wrong, but it definitely answers the question.

I don't see how you can argue on that.