An eye-opening look at American funeral customs is graphically presented at the National Museum of Funeral History in Houston. From icebox caskets, which kept the body 'fresh' in pre-embalming days; to bizarre caskets, such as the casket built for three; to the ostentatious, like the all-glass casket which proved too heavy for even ten pallbearers to lift, the museum is a fascinating look at the history of burial customs. Mourning attire, jewelry made from the deceased's hair, memorabilia of the funerals of the rich and famous, death wagons and hearses, along with a video on the Value of the Funeral, make this a memorable place to spend a few hours dealing with the inevitable. The entrance to the museum has a 'Find a Famous Grave' kiosk that leads you electronically to the remains of the previously famous. A recent addition is the collection of fantasy coffins from Ghana, where elaborate versions are designed to capture the essence of the dead they contain. On display are coffins depicting a KLM airplane, a Mercedes car, various boats, animals and even an outboard motor. You can pass the time on the next leg of your journey trying to imagine what would happen if this custom caught on here.
National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX 77090; [281 876 3063] web: www.nmfh.org. Open Mon-Fri 10:00am-4:00pm, Sat-Sun 12:00noon-4:00pm.
National Museum of Funeral History, 415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX 77090; [281 876 3063] web: www.nmfh.org. Open Mon-Fri 10:00am-4:00pm, Sat-Sun 12:00noon-4:00pm.
