"Saying Goodbye: Funeral Traditions in 19th Century Washington" Exhibit

Throughout history, every generation has had traditions of how they lay their loved ones to rest after they have died. The way people laid their loved ones to rest in the 19th century created a sense of community and influenced future funeral traditions. Death of those we know and forms of saying goodbye are common to all. Funeral rituals and beliefs of death would be influenced by the religious and social beliefs of the community. In this exhibit, see examples of what residents of 19th century Washington did in regard to funeral rituals.