Interesting Funeral Facts!

If you follow us on Facebook, you guys know that we post interesting funeral facts and news quite frequently. I have gathered up some interesting information that some of you might find very interesting. If you know of any weird or unusual facts about funerals, please share them with us. We would love to add to this list!

• A properly folded military flag shows 4 stars, one each to represent the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

• Taberger’s safety coffin was developed in 1829. It included a bell to ring that would alert the graveyard workers if they were being buried alive.

   

• Prior to the 20th century, some European families would hire professional mourners to either look sad or wail.

• Elephants and chimpanzees both have been known to bury their dead, by throwing leaves and branches over the deceased members of their families.

• An odd spot to have a cemetery, an apartment building’s parking lot in Hattiesburg, Mississippi has a small cemetery.

• Flowers placed at the grave were originally brought to promote good will with the spirit of the deceased.

• The tradition of playing loud music at an Irish wake originated with the belief that it would ward off evil spirits. The wake also presented an opportunity to watch over the deceased to see if he/she would awaken.

• Approximately 6,400 burials are conducted annually at Arlington National Cemetery, which is an average of about 28 burials are performed each day.

• A casket is a rectangular box with a lid. A coffin is a six-sided box, wider at the shoulders and narrower at the feet. Caskets are more commonly used in the United States than coffins.

• The family can conduct funerals themselves at home without the involvement of a funeral director in all but nine states (CT, FL, IL, IN, LA, MI, NE, NJ, NY). In spite of the ability to handle the death care arrangements for their own loved ones, most families prefer handing it over to professionals.

Email us your interesting funeral fact, and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to see our “Famous Deaths on this Day in History” posts. Have a great day!

-William Beresford