In the US, funeral houses are a common component of the death industry, including services like embalming, casket sales, funeral services, and cremation. But when did funeral houses start to become commonplace, and what caused their popularity to soar?
When embalming became a common method for preserving the bodies of dead soldiers during the Civil War in the middle of the 19th century, funeral houses began to be used in the United States. Funeral establishments started to provide embalming services to families who wished to keep the bodies of their loved ones preserved for viewing as this practice gradually spread to civilians.
The preparation of the body for burial or cremation is the responsibility of morticians, commonly referred to as funeral directors. This include dressing the body, donning makeup, placing the body in the casket, and embalming. Additionally, they manage legal paperwork, schedule funeral services with families, and coordinate with cemeteries.
Home funerals were common in the US until funeral homes became more popular. Families would perform the funeral rites in their homes after preparing the body themselves, frequently with assistance from a nearby undertaker. But as embalming gained popularity, people started turning to funeral establishments for these services.
A vigil held the night before a funeral service is often referred to as a wake. It is a moment for loved ones to get together to support the mourning family and give their condolences. Contrarily, a viewing usually occurs at the funeral home and enables mourners to visit the deceased prior to the funeral service.
Depending on ethnic and religious customs, the wake or viewing may take place at different times. It may happen quickly after death in some circumstances, while it may happen several days later in others.
In conclusion, the mid-19th century saw the widespread use of embalming as a method for body preservation in the United States. Morticians are in charge of arranging funeral services with families and cemeteries as well as preparing the body for burial or cremation. Home funerals were originally commonplace, but they have become less common as funeral facilities and embalming have become more popular. According to cultural and religious customs, viewings and wakes can be held at various times and are both significant parts of the funeral process.
The focal point of the event is the primary distinction between a funeral and a celebration of life. A funeral is often a formal, solemn occasion that honors the dead person and their departure. On the other side, a celebration of life is a gathering that focuses on the life and accomplishments of the departed with the aim of commemorating and honoring their memory in a more joyful and positive way. A celebration of life is primarily concerned with honoring the person’s life and the good influence they had on people around them, even if both celebrations may contain components of loss and mourning.
The word “corpse” is frequently used to describe a deceased body.