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The National Museum of Funeral History showcases how other cultures recognize death.[/caption]
Although people regularly encounter death through entertainment and media, mortality can be a taboo subject. The National Museum of Funeral History in Spring provides the community an educational environment in which such discussions are encouraged and the history of the funeral industry is preserved.
“We have always been exposed to death, but [how we perceive it is] all about the manner in which we have been taught,” said Genevieve Keeney, the museum’s president and chief operating officer. “This [museum presents] a very realistic manner in which death occurs within our lives, and it’s done so in a way that’s very respectful and obviously historical.”
The museum allows visitors to explore death and funeral history through exhibits that feature a broad spectrum of cultures and time periods.
Featured exhibits explain the history of the embalming process in the U.S. and its ancient Egyptian predecessor; offer extensive collections of hearses; and provide a rotating selection of programs from the funerals of prominent actors, athletes and politicians, such as Whitney Houston and Bob Hope.
