#embalming

Did you know this was the case before the US was founded as a country?

Back before the American revolution, colonists had HUGE celebrations for their deceased, so much so that while attending numbers today may (or may not be) far greater (depending on family size), these events may just have been more extravagant than what you see today.

On top of custom made caskets and tombstones, gift giving was a huge part of an American funeral service. Items such as clothing, rings and other jewelry, gloves, scarves, books, and something called “Monkey Spoons” were given away. The costs of these items were tremendous, so much so that it makes sense as to why memorial gifts are often no longer given away in many modern funerals. Afterwards, huge feasts and celebrations would be held, with food and liquor galore.

All of this ended after the American revolution, however. Funerals temporarily became cheaper, more private events, and memorial gifts were not bought for the purpose of memorial gifts, but instead whatever one could find around their household.

In 1717, one funeral was documented to cost 600 pounds, or roughly 109,809 pounds today. That’s roughly $143,812!

Attached is an image of a Monkey Spoon, often given to the pall bearers by Dutch Colonists.

This week's #RainsfordDay book is this alchemical compendium, written in English in the late 18th century, which includes instructions for alchemical processes such as transmutation, sublimation, and multiplication, with practical applications such as embalming bodies. It was copied by Charles Rainsford himself. Rainsford was an 18th century British army officer, fellow of the Royal Society, and alchemist, who collected (and copied) books about his interests. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1690)

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