What Is a “Happy Death?”
In the Catholic church, “a happy death” refers to dying in a state of grace with God, without bitterness or anger, if possible. Ideally, a happy death would...
Digging a Grave in Frozen Ground
Winter burials in areas where snow falls can be a challenge, particularly in northern states. Digging a grave when the ground is frozen is a much different task...
3 Terrible Ways Winter Can Kill You
Why do so many people die in the winter? Mortality is highest in the cold months; funeral directors in areas where the weather gets cold frequently corroborate that...
Fancy-Pants Tombs: Egypt’s Pyramids
Ancient history’s monuments to dead leaders were typically, well, monumental. Nowhere on earth is that as evident as it is in Egypt. Great Pyramids of Giza are arguably...
The Many Forms of Above-Ground Burial
Humans have a long history of creative memorialization of the dead, frequently involving above-ground burial. The extravagance of some memorials, such as were recently explored on this very...
Cities of the Dead
New Orleans is known worldwide for its graveyards. Crescent City’s gothic mystique imbues its cemeteries with a seductive draw, and who doesn’t like a little atmosphere? If you’re...
The History and Purpose of Mausoleums
What’s the purpose behind mausoleums? In some locations they appear to serve a practical function, such as where a high water table makes ground burial impossible. But mausoleums...
Why Do People Believe in Ghosts?
I began this article, as is my custom, by reading about my subject – in this case, belief in ghosts. Research is where the magic begins, but it’s...
Is Crying Good for You?
It’s more or less commonly held that crying is supposed to be a good thing, whether as a stress reliever or because it actually purges the body of...
A Brief History of Headstones
It’s that time of year! “Graveyards” are popping up in neighborhoods and front yards all across this great land: tombstones askew, phalanges and femurs poking up through the...