Prior to the Civil War, people cared for their own dead. They cleaned the body, and put it on display in the parlor, or living room. During the civil war, this practice ended, and it became the job of the undertaker to care for the dead. Why did the undertakers take over this practice? Initially, slaves dug graves, and the undertaker was the one that brought the box. How did this profession become popular? Only serious answers please. Also, if you found the answer online or in a book, can you please site your sources?
Why did people start to bury their own dead in America?
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I guess because there were so many dead, they didn’t have time to notify their families to come down and take the body (risking their safety). During war you don’t have time to mourn for every dead person, and the next most respectful thing to do is bury them. I mean they can’t just leave them there on the battlefield to rot…
I’m not sure about the undertake one though :/