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Grave goods-like jewelry or personal items-weren't just for religious purposes. Some were intentionally buried to help future archaeologists identify the cultural context of the deceased.

In the Middle Ages, it was common to decapitate corpses suspected of being vampires-to prevent them from rising and harming the living.

Natural burials are regaining popularity. No embalming, no vaults-just biodegradable materials and a return to the earth, as nature intended.

"Thermal Reduction" may sound like high-tech cremation, but it actually refers to refrigeration fees for remains held long-term at a funeral home.

Jewish tradition calls for all-wood caskets, a white burial shroud, and a small amount of sacred earth placed beneath the head.

In Catholic funerals, priests are laid with their heads toward the congregation-symbolizing their lifelong role of facing the people from the altar.

Want to transport a casket across state lines? You can-even in a pickup truck-as long as you have the right permits and a suitable container.

Colorado is the only U.S. state that doesn't require funeral directors to be licensed. Everywhere else, it's a highly regulated profession.

Cremation dates back over 5,000 years, with origins in Stone Age Europe and the Near East-long before crematories were ever invented.

In ancient Rome, the louder the funeral, the higher the status. Families often hired professional mourners to ensure a proper send-off.

Rosemary was once the funeral herb of choice. Sprigs were cast into graves to symbolize remembrance and eternal life-plus, the fragrance helped with more practical concerns.

The word "funeral" made its literary debut in 1386, courtesy of Geoffrey Chaucer in *The Knight Tale*. Even in the 14th century, we felt the need to ritualize our goodbyes.