Page 9 - Graveyard

INTRODUCTION.

HE REMARKS WHICH ARE MADE HERE are intended to convey
a kind of general impression of how dead bodies have been
T disposed of at different times and places. In this, however, the
writer wishes it to be distinctly understood that he does not profess to
exhaust the subject—neither time, inclination, nor ability will allow him to
undertake such a task; he has no doubt, however, that what is here stated
will be found correct, and it may be accepted, as far as it goes, as a
contribution to the subject.

Coffins and Bandages.
The custom of placing the dead in coffins previous to burial was not
prevalent, except with the Egyptians and Babylonians, in ancient times, as
indeed it is not in some countries at the present time. When Lazarus was
raised from the dead he was bound in grave-clothes, most likely such as are
now used in Western Africa, where the practice is—not using coffins—to
wrap the body in rolls of cloths, around the arms, legs, head, and feet: the
ends of the cloth are sewed, or a narrow bandage is wound over the whole.

Embalming.
The practice of embalming dead bodies was very common amongst the
Egyptians in ancient times. After Jacob’s death his body was embalmed,
and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days. The modus operandi of
embalming was to lay open the body, remove the intestines, and replace
them with desiccative drugs and odoriferous spices.
The anointing of dead bodies previous to interment was a custom
prevailing amongst the Jews, and no doubt our Saviour referred to it when
he said to the woman who poured a very precious ointment on His head
(Matt. xxvi. 12), “She did it for my burial.”