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Traditions of Death and Burial
An illustrated introduction to rites and traditions relating to death, funerary rites and commemoration, from Medieval times to the present day.
Death has been a source of grief and uncertainty for humanity throughout history, but it has also been the inspiration for a plethora of fascinating traditions. The covering of mirrors to prevent the departed spirit from seeing itself; the passing bell rung to assist the soul to heaven; the "sin eater" who sat beside a coffin eating and drinking to "absorb" the corpse's sins--all of these were common approaches at one time or another. Yet in the modern day, death has become more clinical than spiritual, something kept hidden behind closed doors. This beautifully illustrated history explores English approaches to death and burial from the medieval era to the present day, exploring ancient customs which have long since lapsed, those such as lighting candles that have survived until the present day, and new approaches such as eco-burials, which are changing how we relate to death, dying and the dead.
Death has been a source of grief and uncertainty for humanity throughout history, but it has also been the inspiration for a plethora of fascinating traditions. The covering of mirrors to prevent the departed spirit from seeing itself; the passing bell rung to assist the soul to heaven; the "sin eater" who sat beside a coffin eating and drinking to "absorb" the corpse's sins--all of these were common approaches at one time or another. Yet in the modern day, death has become more clinical than spiritual, something kept hidden behind closed doors. This beautifully illustrated history explores English approaches to death and burial from the medieval era to the present day, exploring ancient customs which have long since lapsed, those such as lighting candles that have survived until the present day, and new approaches such as eco-burials, which are changing how we relate to death, dying and the dead.
96 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 17, 2019
Review for Traditions of death and burial by Helen Frisby
Can be read and reviewed on NetGalley for free (at time of review) .
This was quite an interesting read and I discovered quite a few good facts that I hadn't previously known about. I would have liked it to go into more detail about more earlier burials and the process. I wasn't a fan of the layout which I found quite confusing but this may have just been down to my device so I havent included this in my rating but may be something for the publisher to look into in case it is on their side. This book isn't for everyone as can be quite gruesome but that is obviously to be expected due to the title. I can't really say there was a wow factor but it was quite an interesting and good read overall and would recommend to fans of history and of books that look into death and burials. Rated 3/5
Can be read and reviewed on NetGalley for free (at time of review) .
This was quite an interesting read and I discovered quite a few good facts that I hadn't previously known about. I would have liked it to go into more detail about more earlier burials and the process. I wasn't a fan of the layout which I found quite confusing but this may have just been down to my device so I havent included this in my rating but may be something for the publisher to look into in case it is on their side. This book isn't for everyone as can be quite gruesome but that is obviously to be expected due to the title. I can't really say there was a wow factor but it was quite an interesting and good read overall and would recommend to fans of history and of books that look into death and burials. Rated 3/5
November 23, 2021
My thanks to the Publishers and Netgalley. Well, I can't say this was unexpected. It was advertised as English customs. So it is. Everything is much as expected. I was drawn to this because burial customs freak me out. I don't like it, and I don't do it. I don't do funerals. They are weird. I don't care about that dead body. It's a husk. That pile of decaying meat is not who I once loved. They are gone. That's just a meat suit. I do understand that some people don't understand my way of thinking, but I don't care. I don't understand theirs. I don't know when or how it happened, but one day in my teens I realized that I wasn't afraid of dying, "although I would prefer a peaceful death!" But dead is a part of life. However ...I had read too many books that had people digging up dead bodies and putting them on display. Yes, I'm talking about archeologists! This is NOT amusing! Heck, for me it's just downright disturbing! I once had a kind of agreement with my daughter. If I die here in Lewis and Clark county, then someone needs to haul my carcass as close to Missoula as possible. Thing is that I knew our county coroner "Mickey Nelson." I'd dealt with him at work. I was terrified that I would die early and he would be " LOOKING over me. " It's a fear. Through my last job, I knew everyone in town. It's the capital of Montana. People in power are strange. The strangest of all are those with little power who think they're more powerful. He finally died. Yay! Now I can die in peace! Oh yeah, also,.my daughter won't be charged with hauling a dead body over county lines! She would have too! That gal is too much like me! This thing of displaying the bodies in the parlor is messed up. I'm very much with the people who believe that internment should be within 24 to 48 hours! Otherwise? 😝 Yuck! Matter of fact, these gravehunters as I call them can fuck the right off! Me? Cremation, and toss me in the ocean or a great river. If you can't? Flush me down the toilet! Just don't let me be an exhibit. Those poor Egyptian mummies. I feel awful about that. I know it's all dead meat, but they once lived and loved. Nobody should be a display. My main takeaway from this book? People worry too much about honoring the dead. Worry about the living and who you now have. If you honor the dead, then you've already blown it.
Shit fuzzy! That's a rant!
Shit fuzzy! That's a rant!
September 21, 2019
This book is about the traditions around death and burial in English history. While a short book, 93 pages, it is rich in detail and research.
I really enjoyed this book because of how detailed it was. I am from the USA so this discussed history that I have not read before. I learned a lot from this book and appreciate the author providing further reading (especially since they were not USA authors).
Overall, this book was quite fascinating. I recommend it for anyone interested in death and the history around it.
*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.*
I really enjoyed this book because of how detailed it was. I am from the USA so this discussed history that I have not read before. I learned a lot from this book and appreciate the author providing further reading (especially since they were not USA authors).
Overall, this book was quite fascinating. I recommend it for anyone interested in death and the history around it.
*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.*
November 24, 2019
3.5/5
Quick reference guide detailing English burial customs throughout different eras. The early portions of the book describing medieval traditions and practices between the living and the dead were eye opening, citing archaeological and artistic claims to back up this brief, yet extensive research.
The purgatorial references weren't as fascinating as some of the other historical knowledge cramped in here-the plague, spiritualistic rituals, and ‘disenfranchised deaths’ (AIDS). Still, the author challenges the reader to muse on what mortality means to them, and raises some important questions. How will civilization mourn the dead in the future?
Big thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the free ARC
Quick reference guide detailing English burial customs throughout different eras. The early portions of the book describing medieval traditions and practices between the living and the dead were eye opening, citing archaeological and artistic claims to back up this brief, yet extensive research.
The purgatorial references weren't as fascinating as some of the other historical knowledge cramped in here-the plague, spiritualistic rituals, and ‘disenfranchised deaths’ (AIDS). Still, the author challenges the reader to muse on what mortality means to them, and raises some important questions. How will civilization mourn the dead in the future?
Big thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the free ARC
October 8, 2019
I was given a copy of Traditions of Death and Burial by Helen Frisby from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is hard to review. I enjoyed what I read. I learned a few things. I enjoyed all the images throughout the book. But I feel like there are multiple things I had issue with. I enjoyed that the book was split up into sections but the organization of the sections was disjointed at times. I wanted more information. The book is quite short and I felt like it could have been doubled or tripled with more research. The book seems to have a surface level understanding of history outside of the specific topic that is being covered. And the structure of the book felt like a paper that was being published and not a book.
The book is hard to review. I enjoyed what I read. I learned a few things. I enjoyed all the images throughout the book. But I feel like there are multiple things I had issue with. I enjoyed that the book was split up into sections but the organization of the sections was disjointed at times. I wanted more information. The book is quite short and I felt like it could have been doubled or tripled with more research. The book seems to have a surface level understanding of history outside of the specific topic that is being covered. And the structure of the book felt like a paper that was being published and not a book.
November 9, 2019
Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read an Advance Copy of this work.
In Traditions of Death and Burial Helen Frisby examines our changing thoughts about the final stages of life. The curation of images accompanying the text is excellent. Readers will be guided through the historical shift from Catholicism to Protestantism and from the sacred to the secular.
Frisby writes that: “While the Reformation in theory stripped away Purgatory and its associated ritual apparatus, by way of replacement it offered only the terrifying prospect of immediate, personal judgement before God with neither agency nor respite. It is therefore not surprising to find that the customs and traditions that had given the bereaved the comforting sense of still being in touch with the dead lingered, and in some cases, were adapted and reinvented.” Such traditions ranged from the memento mori to the custom of food being served at funerals. The type of food was largely unvaried from the Middle Ages to the Second World War!
The second section of the book begins in 1750 and charts the movement from country to cities. With this move, close quarters allowed for the spread of infectious diseases. Crowded urban burial spaces triggered reforms even as advances occurred in the fields of sanitation, vaccination, and germ theory. Death also became commercialized, especially in the nineteenth century. Funeral planning, photography, invitations, mourning wear, and commemorative items all became standard. This delayed funerals, extending the time the corpse was in the home. Fear of being buried alive and the threat of body snatchers made it imperative to keep bodies at home.
The third and final section looks at the years 1900-2000, where funeral customs and traditions have begun to wane. People live longer, life is more secularized, and death has shifted from the home to the hospital or care facility. Frisby notes that: “Following the 1939–45 war, there was a more decisive shift in favour of the practical, private death. The twin demands of institutional protocol and commercial interest subsequently came to dominate the process of dying from deathbed to committal, compounded by a culture which emphasised privacy and emotional control.”
However, this is not the end of the story. Today, “continued bonds between the dead and the living–and indeed the fact of mortality itself–are starting to be acknowledged again” in the form of death cafes, death cleaning, hospice care, and death prediction technology that only promises to gain in accuracy.
Today, there is a move back toward keeping the deceased at home (aided by cooling blankets) or, at least, to be part of washing and dressing the deceased. The author predicts that the return of this type of involvement will cause “customs and traditions to help the deceased and bereaved to move on emotionally and spiritually” to reemerge. Of particular use to the student or scholarly inclined is a resources section at the end of the book. This text would be of use to students in psychology classes that study death and dying, but proves a quick and interesting treatise for those curious about how we met death in the past and how we seek to stave it off – or meet it with dignity – today.
In Traditions of Death and Burial Helen Frisby examines our changing thoughts about the final stages of life. The curation of images accompanying the text is excellent. Readers will be guided through the historical shift from Catholicism to Protestantism and from the sacred to the secular.
Frisby writes that: “While the Reformation in theory stripped away Purgatory and its associated ritual apparatus, by way of replacement it offered only the terrifying prospect of immediate, personal judgement before God with neither agency nor respite. It is therefore not surprising to find that the customs and traditions that had given the bereaved the comforting sense of still being in touch with the dead lingered, and in some cases, were adapted and reinvented.” Such traditions ranged from the memento mori to the custom of food being served at funerals. The type of food was largely unvaried from the Middle Ages to the Second World War!
The second section of the book begins in 1750 and charts the movement from country to cities. With this move, close quarters allowed for the spread of infectious diseases. Crowded urban burial spaces triggered reforms even as advances occurred in the fields of sanitation, vaccination, and germ theory. Death also became commercialized, especially in the nineteenth century. Funeral planning, photography, invitations, mourning wear, and commemorative items all became standard. This delayed funerals, extending the time the corpse was in the home. Fear of being buried alive and the threat of body snatchers made it imperative to keep bodies at home.
The third and final section looks at the years 1900-2000, where funeral customs and traditions have begun to wane. People live longer, life is more secularized, and death has shifted from the home to the hospital or care facility. Frisby notes that: “Following the 1939–45 war, there was a more decisive shift in favour of the practical, private death. The twin demands of institutional protocol and commercial interest subsequently came to dominate the process of dying from deathbed to committal, compounded by a culture which emphasised privacy and emotional control.”
However, this is not the end of the story. Today, “continued bonds between the dead and the living–and indeed the fact of mortality itself–are starting to be acknowledged again” in the form of death cafes, death cleaning, hospice care, and death prediction technology that only promises to gain in accuracy.
Today, there is a move back toward keeping the deceased at home (aided by cooling blankets) or, at least, to be part of washing and dressing the deceased. The author predicts that the return of this type of involvement will cause “customs and traditions to help the deceased and bereaved to move on emotionally and spiritually” to reemerge. Of particular use to the student or scholarly inclined is a resources section at the end of the book. This text would be of use to students in psychology classes that study death and dying, but proves a quick and interesting treatise for those curious about how we met death in the past and how we seek to stave it off – or meet it with dignity – today.
September 18, 2019
I loved this book! I recently completed a masters which include elements of culture traditions, archaeology and death so this book was right up my alley. Firstly, it must be noted that the book is a concise history of English traditions of death from the medieval period to the present. Therefore, the book is more specialised than what the title may suggest. That being said the book was informative, easy to read and not very long, it took me only a few hours to read.
What I have learnt from this book is that there is a connection with the occurrence of an early death, as found in medieval times though infections, plague etc, and customs to look after the body and their soul by the living and between a life long lived, as found in the present where people are more likely to die from old age related diseases and therefore having a hands off approach to the body. What this has done from particularly the World Wars onwards has left people emotionally unsatisfied in their griefing as they do not go through the griefing process , or ritual practice, of caring for the body and soul of the departed loved one. Due to this cultural change we see a return to the old days in present times, as people reconnect with the dead through acts like Remembrance Day, individual focused funerals and marking a death date each year.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced electronic readers version of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
What I have learnt from this book is that there is a connection with the occurrence of an early death, as found in medieval times though infections, plague etc, and customs to look after the body and their soul by the living and between a life long lived, as found in the present where people are more likely to die from old age related diseases and therefore having a hands off approach to the body. What this has done from particularly the World Wars onwards has left people emotionally unsatisfied in their griefing as they do not go through the griefing process , or ritual practice, of caring for the body and soul of the departed loved one. Due to this cultural change we see a return to the old days in present times, as people reconnect with the dead through acts like Remembrance Day, individual focused funerals and marking a death date each year.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced electronic readers version of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
November 3, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley, Osprey Publishing and Shire Publications for this free ARC of Traditions of Death and Burial by Helen Frisby. The review to follow is based on my own honest opinion.
Having previously worked within the funeral industry, I found this book to be well researched and well written. Although the author documents the death traditions of the United Kingdom and I’m based in Australia, our traditions are almost the same given the ancestry of my own country.
This is a short read, coming in at 97 pages. However, don’t let that number lead you to believe this book isn’t worthwhile. Based on the topic, any longer and the book would be waffling for the sake of breaking the 100-page mark. I can appreciate this piece of work for what it is – a topic rarely discussed.
I give this book 4 out of 5 coffins!
Having previously worked within the funeral industry, I found this book to be well researched and well written. Although the author documents the death traditions of the United Kingdom and I’m based in Australia, our traditions are almost the same given the ancestry of my own country.
This is a short read, coming in at 97 pages. However, don’t let that number lead you to believe this book isn’t worthwhile. Based on the topic, any longer and the book would be waffling for the sake of breaking the 100-page mark. I can appreciate this piece of work for what it is – a topic rarely discussed.
I give this book 4 out of 5 coffins!
January 25, 2020
Thanks to Osprey Publishing and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'm really interested in death scholarship. There, I said it. Show me a book or journal about death and burial customs and I am there.
This book is an exploration of death and burial customs in England from the medieval era to today. Yup, it's that specific which is a bit of a shame because compared to other cultures England's death traditions are...really not super interesting.
For anyone interested in the subject there's really nothing new here. The book kind of read to me like an long undergraduate essay or dissertation. That's not me being snotty, I just felt like it was overly descriptive without much deeper analysis.
It's an interesting enough read and there's some fascinating imagery butI just expected a deeper exploration considering how narrow the scope was.
I'm really interested in death scholarship. There, I said it. Show me a book or journal about death and burial customs and I am there.
This book is an exploration of death and burial customs in England from the medieval era to today. Yup, it's that specific which is a bit of a shame because compared to other cultures England's death traditions are...really not super interesting.
For anyone interested in the subject there's really nothing new here. The book kind of read to me like an long undergraduate essay or dissertation. That's not me being snotty, I just felt like it was overly descriptive without much deeper analysis.
It's an interesting enough read and there's some fascinating imagery butI just expected a deeper exploration considering how narrow the scope was.
September 14, 2019
First, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this copy of my ARC.
This is a very interesting book that details the history of death and burials from 1066 to today in the UK. Much of it is relatable to practices and history here in the US as well.
Helen Frisby has done much research and I enjoyed the pictures/illustrations as well. This is a short book - less than 100 pages - but is a quick and enjoyable history lesson and does give one food for thought not only for how you wish for your own burial when the time comes but what the future may hold.
This is not an sad, morbid or depressing book but a very interesting one. An enjoyable read.
This is a very interesting book that details the history of death and burials from 1066 to today in the UK. Much of it is relatable to practices and history here in the US as well.
Helen Frisby has done much research and I enjoyed the pictures/illustrations as well. This is a short book - less than 100 pages - but is a quick and enjoyable history lesson and does give one food for thought not only for how you wish for your own burial when the time comes but what the future may hold.
This is not an sad, morbid or depressing book but a very interesting one. An enjoyable read.
November 5, 2019
An interesting history on the traditions of death and burials in the U.K. It is well-researched, with the history spanning centuries. I particularly enjoyed reading about the Victorian Era’s traditions. It’s also nice to see that in our digital age, the actual ceremonies that had been previously eschewed are making a comeback, albeit in a modern way.
If you are a fan of history, strange (or not so strange) practices, or the macabre, I would suggest reading this book. It’s very informative, but not in a dry, boring way.
I received a copy of this from Netgalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
If you are a fan of history, strange (or not so strange) practices, or the macabre, I would suggest reading this book. It’s very informative, but not in a dry, boring way.
I received a copy of this from Netgalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
September 22, 2019
This is a concise and fairly thorough history of English burial traditions. The information is organized in a manner I'm unaccustomed too seeing in a historical accounting causing the need to backtrack and reread several sections to make sure I wasn't misunderstanding the material. I feel some revisions could tie it together and help it flow better. However, I feel a great deal of research went into this book. I found the book itself to be very interesting and learned several things I never knew were common practices. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
October 13, 2019
Traditions in Death and Burial by Helen Frisby is an intersting book. Its not too long a read and has some intersting facts about death and buirial in England from Medievil times. THe Author has well researched her topic and that shows in the writing.
I enjoyed reading this book although like others I found it disjointed and the photographs descriptions were not always beside the photos or they were splitting up sentences midway through paragraphs. (Not sure if it was because it was a ARC copy) .
Thanks to Netgalley and Osprey Publishing for the ARC. (My Review is my own opinion.)
I enjoyed reading this book although like others I found it disjointed and the photographs descriptions were not always beside the photos or they were splitting up sentences midway through paragraphs. (Not sure if it was because it was a ARC copy) .
Thanks to Netgalley and Osprey Publishing for the ARC. (My Review is my own opinion.)
November 3, 2019
While reading this book, I was conflicted. On one hand, I enjoyed the material and learning new things but on the other, it was clinical and too academic. It was a good introduction to the relationship we have with death. The history of England was interesting to follow through the centuries but it was too short and too shallow. It needed to be fleshed out and softened for an unfamiliar audience. This would great for someone who is curious and new to the content but it was a little flat for me.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2022
As I am currently working in the field of the funeral industry & about to start my college course on funeral directing & embalming in September of 2022, I thought grabbing this book was a good idea. At first glance I assumed it would be the traditions from around the world but unfortunately it was just based in England. Which is not to say that it was bad but I was hoping to learn more from different traditions of death from many walks & aspects of life. At times I did find the book repetitive & mundane but nonetheless it was a mediocre short read.
December 3, 2019
I read this to write a review for the Morbid Anatomy Patreon. (Become a patron to read my full review.)
Essentially, this book provides a brief, broad overview of funerary and burial traditions in England over the last millennium. Due to covering such a long period of time in so few pages, the book is only able to just skim the surface. But it does a great job of highlighting patterns and putting forward the argument that as much as traditions have changed, they have also stayed the same.
Essentially, this book provides a brief, broad overview of funerary and burial traditions in England over the last millennium. Due to covering such a long period of time in so few pages, the book is only able to just skim the surface. But it does a great job of highlighting patterns and putting forward the argument that as much as traditions have changed, they have also stayed the same.
September 8, 2019
A big thank you to NetGalley and Osprey/Shire Publishing for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is a short, concise look at burial practices in England only. It seems well researched. I found it interesting but nothing to unexpected. Seemed pretty focused on the protestant side and didn't talk much about other sects of religions. 3 stars
December 11, 2019
A rich summary of the funerary traditions in England. I found many interesting facts and cases where traditions and customs changed over time, were forgotten and then recovered or transformed. It was a heavy reading now and then, with several ups and downs due to the tone of the author, but it serves its purspose and entertains most of the time.
October 7, 2019
An interesting, enjoyable and well researched book. I liked the style of writing and I learned something new.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
September 13, 2019
I found this very interesting and enjoyed reading about how our ancestors buried their dead. I would have liked a dive further into the past but it kind of just brushed past traditions pre 1600.
September 29, 2019
Very interesting! Death and burial traditions, mainly in England, from the Middle Ages until today. How customs have changed and which, sometimes very small, rituals are still followed.
December 1, 2019
Traditions of Death and Burial is a interesting and informative book. It is well written and the author has clearly done her research.
December 8, 2019
This is an interesting and informative book. The author has done her research and the book is short and concise, but I wish it had a bit more flesh on it.
January 16, 2020
Traditions of Death and Burial was an interesting read. I did find myself cringe at some of the customary rituals. I give it three stars.
April 6, 2020
Very interesting
April 29, 2022
Absolutely love the book!
May 28, 2023
Great reading.
September 17, 2023
A fascinating overview of the relationship between the living and death in England.
January 3, 2025
Really interesting and insightful history of past and present burial traditions.
February 2, 2025
(3.5 stars) Pretty good as a brief overarching review of (specifically English) funeral customs. I found the conclusions were a little weak and slightly out of touch but otherwise there's a lot of interesting stuff. Not referenced properly, but there's a reading list. Medieval section was the most worthwhile to me in terms of looking for new information.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews