Funeral Home History

Key Takeaways:

• Funeral homes have been around since the American Civil War and play an important role in helping families deal with death.
• The National Funeral Directors Association was established to help consumers view funeral directors and morticians as professionals.
• Caskets have been used in different ways and at other times throughout American history, the earliest use being during the American Revolution.

When Did Funeral Homes Start?

Funeral homes have been a part of American life for centuries. The first funeral homes in the United States were established in the early 1800s, and they quickly became an essential part of the social fabric. Funeral homes provided a place for families to grieve and honor their loved ones. They also helped to ease the financial burden of funeral costs. Funeral homes became increasingly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as more and more families moved away from rural areas and into cities. Funeral homes were seen as a more efficient and convenient way to handle funeral arrangements. Today, funeral homes continue to play an essential role in American society. They provide a vital service to grieving families, and they help ensure that loved ones are remembered in a respectful and dignified manner. 

Some Funeral Home Background History 

Where did funeral homes in Prosper, TX and the rest of United States come from?

They didn’t pop up until after the Civil War, but then embalming came on the scene. The dead were never that far from home before the mid-1800s. So, people would often display the bodies in a front room or parlor to prolong decomposition and ensure an interval between death and burial as short as possible for social purposes – because people weren’t sure how long it took anyway! There are several methods you can use today; most aren’t accepted, but they’ve been tried nonetheless, such as refrigeration (which speeds up specific processes) being one example among others. Therefore, funerals took place quickly and in the home. 

The idea of embalming arose from the need to prevent decomposition during Lincoln’s funeral train journey in 1865. As it became more popular, families could expand their services from a simple wake or cremation into full-scale funerals with body displays for friends, and neighbors still living at home could also pay their respects. This opened up new opportunities, such as holding memorial service sessions where people came together after hearing stories about what made this person great–how they inspired others with just words alone! 

How the History of Funeral Homes Began

The 19th century saw a considerable shift from home burials to formal cemeteries in America. The government formed military graveyards for fallen soldiers after World War II, and this caused an increase in demand by families that were all too happy with the funeral services they could afford. Because it meant their loved ones would not be forgotten or left without proper farewells. The Bucktrout family in Virginia, originally coffin and cabinet manufacturers, saw a golden opportunity in the market and rose to the occasion. They grew their business to include funeral services like those we have today, becoming the country’s first official funeral home. Their funeral home developed and expanded along with the funeral home market, and they remained family-owned and operated. 

Many undertakers (as morticians were once called) used their homes to care for the deceased. Funeral homes were originally run by undertakers who would use their homes to do business. This is probably where the name “funeral home” comes from. As more and more funeral homes were built in the 1900s, the need for formal training for undertakers also became more necessary. 

Why Were Funeral Homes Created During the Time?

The funeral home industry has its roots in the American Civil War. At that time, there was a growing need to transport the bodies of soldiers who had died in battle back to their families for burial. Funeral homes were created in response to this need and soon became an essential part of the death care industry. Today, funeral homes continue to play a crucial role in helping families deal with the death of a loved one. They provide various services, including funeral planning, procession coordination, and grief counseling. In addition, funeral homes often serve as a place where friends and family can come to pay their respects to the deceased. For all these reasons, funeral homes will continue to be essential to our society. 

Things changed as time passed, and they began to be called funeral directors and morticians. To help consumers view funeral directors and morticians as professionals, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) was officially established around the early 1900s. Soon after, coffin makers, florists, life insurance agencies, and other-related services bloomed alongside funeral homes. In 1920, there was a 100% growth rate in the number of funeral homes (around 24 thousand) in the US. Nowadays, funeral homes are a necessary part of most US cities, and there is no better way to show respect than giving a proper funeral arrangement to someone you care about. 

Like many other American institutions, funeral homes grew out of Christian backgrounds. In the late 1960s, immigration laws became lenient, allowing a new wave of cultures and beliefs into America. As funeral homes rose to meet this demand for services from other ethnic groups like Vietnamese or Eastern European individuals, they also began offering services to Buddhist and Hindu religions! 

Slay Memorial Funeral Center is an East York, PA, funeral home that proudly continues the funeral home tradition. Visit us or call us to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss. We’re honored to do whatever we can to serve you in a difficult time. 

Funeral Home and Cremation FAQs

When Did People Start Using Caskets in the US?

There is no one answer to this question, as caskets have been used in different ways and at other times throughout American history. One of the earliest uses of caskets was during the American Revolution. Many soldiers who died in battle were buried in simple wooden boxes or casks rather than traditional coffins. After the war, this trend continued as a way to save money and resources. It wasn’t until the early 1800s that more formalized casket-making began in America, and even then, it remained relatively expensive. 

What Happened to the Bodies Before There were Cemeteries? 

Before the development of modern cemeteries, the bodies of the deceased were often left on open ground to decompose. This practice was often combined with other means of disposing of the dead, such as burial or cremation. In some cases, particularly in large cities, bodies would be piled up in mass graves. 

Who has the Rights to Ashes After Cremation in Texas?

In Texas, the deceased can choose who will receive their ashes. If the deceased did not make a choice, the ashes would be given to the next of kin. So, the ashes should be given to whoever is listed in the deceased person’s will or designated as the heir in probate proceedings. However, if there is no will or set heir, then the ashes would fall into the hands of other family members according to intestate succession laws.