Roman death and burial

Question 1

what were funeral clubs?

Answer 1

• a social club set up to support the less wealthy members of society
• there would be a monthly fee to join for those who could afford it
• the club met for meals and gatherings, giving members an opportunity to make social connections

Question 2

what happened upon the death of a member of the funeral club?

Answer 2

• the club would pay for a funeral and provide mourners to ensure the deceased was not forgotten
• in larger clubs, members may be buried in a club tomb or burial ground

Question 3

what would a relative do just before the moment of death?

Answer 3

• a relative would capture the last breath of the person with a kiss
• if at home those present would then call out the deceased name
• if the person died unaccompanied, this would be done ceremonially afterwards

Question 4

what happened to the body during preparation?

Answer 4

• the body was washed, perfumed and dressed in the deceased finest clothes
• a coin was placed in the mouth of the deceased to pay the ferryman Charon

Question 5

how long was the body left to lie in state?

Answer 5

• 8 days
• if the family was wealthy, it would be placed in the atrium, giving friends and family a chance to pay their respects
• during this time the women of the house would lament by beating their chest

Question 6

what type of people could you find present at the funeral?

Answer 6

• flute and horn players
• the deceased family (would wear wax funerary masks of the family ancestors)
• slaves and freedmen
• professional mourners if the family was wealthy

Question 7

what depended on the size of the tomb?

Answer 7

• the wealth of the family
• a wealthy person could expect to be buried in the family tomb or an individual monument

Question 8

why did the Romans build their tombs along roads that ran into towns?

Answer 8

• to ensure the deceased would be remembered
• meant people avoided uniformity as they wanted their tomb to stand out