1. American Colonial Funeral Behavior

2. Virginia Colony founded in 1607 in Jamestown based on commercial interests incorporated the Church of England into their government burial was usually in the churchyard

3. Massachusetts Bay Colony founded in 1630 by the Puritans rejected the Church of England Puritan clergy did not take part in the funeral ceremony dead were buried without any ceremony 1700: funeral sermons

4. Protestantism and Calvinism “good works” -Industrious -“idleness” was a sin -New Englanders: “state of one’s soul” -18 th Century: industry and trade -Secularism: pursuit of worldly goods

5. Burial Practices Death: natural, inevitable, commonplace Epitaphs: “The manner of expression may be ribald and ridiculous, pompous and lugubrious, eloquent, or serenely simple” (Stories on Stone: A Book on American Epitaphs – Wallis, 1954) epidemics

6. Readings Question #1 Describe the earliest New England funeral and interment practices. public executions

7. Readings Question #2 Describe the “social character” of mourning during the late 17 th century and throughout the 18 th century. In 1721, 1724, and 1742 the General court of Massachusetts passed laws prohibiting “extraordinary expense at funerals”

8. Readings Question #3 Describe a typical New England town funeral and interment during the middle of the 18 th century.

9. Social Change in Late Colonial America 18 th century: 2 revolutions – political and economic urbanization: breakdown in Puritan controls “class” barriers elaborate funerals for the wealthy imported goods became scarce

10. Boston 1788 restricted the display of mourning fine of 20 shillings for every offense men: black crepe band women: black hat/bonnet; gloves; ribbons 1790 Salem: sexton – “toll” 8 quid undertaker – chairs, warning, waiting etc. 8 quid

11. Readings Question #4 What were the 3 general functions of colonial funerals?