Grave goods-like jewelry or personal items-weren't just for religious purposes. Some wereintentionally 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 preventthem from rising and harming the living.
Natural burials are regaining popularity. No embalming, no vaults-just biodegradable materials anda return to the earth, as nature intended.
"Thermal Reduction" may sound like high-tech cremation, but it actually refers to refrigeration feesfor remains held long-term at a funeral home.
Jewish tradition calls for all-wood caskets, a white burial shroud, and a small amount of sacredearth placed beneath the head.
In Catholic funerals, priests are laid with their heads toward the congregation-symbolizing theirlifelong 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 havethe right permits and a suitable container.
Colorado is the only U.S. state that doesn't require funeral directors to be licensed. Everywhereelse, it's a highly regulated profession.
Cremation dates back over 5,000 years, with origins in Stone Age Europe and the Near East-longbefore crematories were ever invented.
In ancient Rome, the louder the funeral, the higher the status. Families often hired professionalmourners to ensure a proper send-off.
Rosemary was once the funeral herb of choice. Sprigs were cast into graves to symbolizeremembrance 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 KnightTale*. Even in the 14th century, we felt the need to ritualize our goodbyes.