Traditions of Death and Burial

Death has been a source of grief and uncertainty for humanity throughout history, but it has also been the inspiration for a plethora of fascinating traditions. The covering of mirrors to prevent the departed spirit from seeing itself; the passing bell rung to assist the soul to heaven; the 'sin eater' who sat beside a coffin eating and drinking to 'absorb' the corpse's sins - all of these were common approaches at one time or another. Yet in the modern day, death has become more clinical than spiritual, something kept hidden behind closed doors. This beautifully illustrated history explores English approaches to death and burial from the medieval era to the present day, exploring ancient customs which have long since lapsed, those such as lighting candles that have survived until the present day, and new approaches such as eco-burials, which are changing how we relate to death, dying and the dead.

Helen Frisby is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Bristol, and also works at UWE, Bristol. Her PhD was on Victorian funerals, and she continues to research, write and speak on the history of death, dying and bereavement. She's also currently researching the occupational lore of gravediggers. Helen is a Council member of the Folklore Society, and Secretary of the Association for the Study of Death & Society. She lives in Bristol, UK.

Introduction: The Death of Dying? The Pains of Purgatory c.1066-1500 Reformation and Resistance, c.1500-1750 Dying in the Industrial Age, c.1750-1900 The Practical Death, c.1900-2000 Death Now and in the Future, c.2000 onwards Conclusions Further Reading Places to Visit Index