3 Facts About The History Of Funeral Services
Death is something everyone must face and make sense of. Since it affects us all, it’s interesting to consider what has influenced the way we say goodbye.
Funeral homes in Ridge, NY have been around for decades. They’re such common practice that it’s hard to consider a time they didn’t exist.
Funeral services are a relatively new within our society and are the result in fundamental changes in how we decided to care for our deceased. We will explore three events that shaped the funerals in the United States to what they are today.
THE CIVIL WAR HAD A STRONG INFLUENCE ON FUNERALS
Embalming is a practice that is less than 200 years old. At least the way we go about it today.
While embalming was a practice used by many different cultures across multiple generations, the practice of embalming our deceased in the United States started as a response to the casualties of the Civil War.
During the war, many soldiers died miles away from their homes and had to be transported over large bodies of land. In order to preserve their bodies during the journey, a new embalming component was created and used. After Abraham Lincoln’s death, his choice to be embalmed sparked public acceptance and the its practice increased among private citizens.
EGYPT AND MESOPOTAMIA INFLUENCED OUR CASKETS DESIGN
You probably never considered the casket design of today is an extension of an ancient practice from some of the most renowned civilizations.
The use of wood, cloth, and paper came from Egypt and Mesopotamia. There, it was used to create sarcophagus style burial boxes for their deceased. This was adopted in the United States as a way to preserve metal and steel that was being used for the Civil War’s Effort.
These caskets were made by local furniture and cabinet makers rather than the undertakers today. They supplied their community until after the Civil War when mass-production for caskets increased as a way to transport deceased soldiers.
TECHNOLOGY CHANGED HOW WE BURY OUR DEAD
Are you surprised?
Living in the digital area, it’s rare to see something that hasn’t been touched by the influence of modern day technology.
Before funeral homes came into effect, families were responsible for preserving, displaying, and burying their deceased. Ceremonies were conducted in the families front room in front of a very small audience, typically only the family members that were present. Since embalming tools weren’t accessible, families had to work quickly to bury their deceased, often within 24-hours.
New technology allowed people to travel further with more ease. This resulted in the size of communities to increase. Before, one family was responsible to alleviating all of their needs. In this new era of connection, they were able to rely on the services and skillsets of others. And as the civil war propelled the need for funeral homes, families were able to rely on their services for easier, quality care.
The history of funeral services is an interesting and complex one. As move around in your day, you may notice funeral services in North Babylon, New York and view it with a whole new understanding.
You can learn more about funeral homes in Ridge, NY. Talk to us at Mangano Family Funeral Homes to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services/funeral home services. Visit our offices in New York or call our locations.
