Funeral Customs

Funeral Customs is a book by Bertram S. Puckle, first published in 1926. This authoritative historical exploration of funeral practices offers readers a wide-ranging look at the rituals, beliefs, and ceremonies surrounding death from ancient times to more recent traditions across diverse cultures. Best suited for anyone researching burial rites, funeral history, or cultural death customs, this insightful work traces how human societies have honoured their dead and coped with mortality through funeral rites and commemorative ceremonies.

Puckle’s comprehensive survey delves into a remarkable variety of funeral traditions, from prehistoric burials with grave goods and ceremonial feasts to the development of churchyard and cemetery customs. The book examines preparations for burial, mourning practices, wakes and processions, and the symbolism of objects like coffins and memorials in funeral services. Its coverage of disparate cultural practices — from early tribal rites to structured state funerals — makes it a valuable resource for students of anthropology, cultural history, and comparative religion.

Rich in historical examples and scholarly observation, Funeral Customs sheds light on how funeral rituals reflect broader social values and beliefs about death, the afterlife, and remembrance.