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Rapid Burial
A fossil is made out of a dead organism. Nearly all of the factors involved in fossilization hinge on the time frame between death and entombment (some of the best-preserved fossils today show evidence of this). Scientists can determine this time frame by inspecting the specimen's body posture for evidence of asphyxiation, i.e., the sudden smothering of the individual. Notable examples of this are dinosaurs that have been caught in landslides.
Substrate
Substrate, which is the substance that the dead organism lands in as its final resting place, is also vital to the process of fossilization. Amber, an organic resin made from plant life, is an excellent preservative for fossils. Clays, shale or mud are excellent fossilization mediums, as well. A delicate imprint of a fossilized creature is often preserved for future study in these substrates.
Climate
Most fossils are discovered within sediments that were under water at one time. Water provides the optimum conditions required for preservation. However, climate on land can also create conditions that are prime for fossils. Very cold climates can lead to the freezing of dead organisms, while hot, arid climates such as caves can lead to their desiccation, or drying out. These conditions typically delay the decaying of the fossil material.
Oxygen
Just as oxygen is necessary for living organisms, it is crucial in the decomposition of those organisms after death. Bacteria that feed on dead matter need oxygen to survive. Fossil formation where oxygen content is low, such as in deep water or under compacted layers of sediment, reduce this bacteria and allow preservation.