Death and Burial Practices from Around the World
The traditions and beliefs surrounding the treatment of the dead are topics at Utah State University’s Museum of Anthropology and its Saturdays at the Museum series May 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the day, museum visitors are invited to explore and learn about death and burial practices from around the world.
From cremations to burials at sea, every culture has its own traditions and beliefs surrounding the treatment of the dead, event organizers said.
Museum visitors are invited to an illustrated lecture at 1 p.m. at the museum. There will also be guided docent tours of the museum’s temporary exhibit on death and burial practices throughout the day. Young visitors can mummify an apple after learning about the mummification process and make skeleton crafts throughout the day.
“The ways in which people react to death are linked to their culture,” said Aurora Wallis Durfee, a museum worker. “We hope that through this Saturday’s activities visitors will be able to gain a greater appreciation for the many traditions that humans use to welcome the next life.”
In addition to the Saturdays at the Museum activity series with its 10 a.m.-4 p.m. hours, community members and USU students alike can visit the museum during its standard operating hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Funding for Saturday events is provided by a grant from the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services. More information about the IMLS is available online.
The USU Museum of Anthropology can be found on the USU campus in the south turret of the historic Old Main building, Room 252. Admission is free. For Saturday activities, free parking is available in the adjacent lot, south of the building.
For more information about museum events, call museum staff at (435) 797-7545 or visit the museum website.
The Museum of Anthropology is part of the Anthropology Program at USU in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Related links:
- USU Anthropology Program
- USU Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology
- USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Source: Museum of Anthropology
Contact: USU Museum of Anthropology, (435) 797-7545, anthro.museum@usu.edu
Burial practices and traditions from around the world, like this funeral pyre, will be discussed at the next 'Saturdays at the Museum' session at USU’s Museum of Anthropology. (photo from the Museum of Anthropology website)
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