Let's talk about death, shall we? Not the most pleasant of topics to discuss, but there are a lot more nuances to the process of laying someone to rest than you might think. Different customs for different cultures and religions, cremation vs. burial, and preservation of the body are all things that must be considered when a person dies. Many aspects of funerals have evolved tremendously over the years, including hearses, mourning attire, and embalming techniques. All of this and anything else you may want to know about dying can be learned at the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston. Sounds like a perfect Halloween activity, doesn't it?
The museum includes 14 permanent exhibits as well as several rotating exhibits on display for a limited time. You'll learn more about death and the history of funerals than you ever thought possible!
You'll see a tribute to the fallen first responders of 9/11, consisting of a sample casket for a police officer to commemorate his or her life and legacy, as well as an urn containing ashes and debris from Ground Zero.
There are also hearses of all kinds, from those used in the 18th century...
...to slightly newer, more sleek designs that emit an undeniable mystique when seen driving on the road...
...to the ACTUAL hearses used in the funerals of Grace Kelly, Ronald Reagan, and Gerald Ford!
Step inside the Vatican and learn how the funerals of Popes are conducted. The 5000 square-foot exhibit includes a replica of Saint John Paul II's crypt, an exact reproduction of the coffin used in three other Popes' funerals, and more.
Funeral attire and the entire mourning process has changed immensely over the years. As you walk through a full-scale replica of a 19th-century Victorian living room, you'll see how the grieving process impacted their clothing, home decor, and other aspects of life.
You'll even learn about the history and evolution of embalming! This neat exhibit provides a visual timeline of body-preservation methods spanning from ancient Egypt to the mid-1900s.
The museum has special Halloween activities like a haunted house, car show, and Day of the Dead celebration taking place over the next few days. For more information on those festivities as well as general information about the museum, click here.
The museum's address is 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX 77090-5918.
Have you ever been to the National Museum of Funeral History? If so, what was your favorite exhibit?
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