Robert L. Waltrip had a 25-year dream to establish an institution to teach the public and preserve the history of death care. In 1992 the National Museum of Funeral History was founded and opened its doors a year later. The museum was originally 20,500 square feet. It housed artifacts of the funeral industry, and these items were typically trashed. SLowly the museum became a place to preserve and collect the history of the industry. The first impressive exhibit was the collection of vintage hearses, which continue to fascinate visitors. The collection is always growing.
Thanks to many generous donations the museum has grown over the decades. Also, the museum has acquired many significant items that document the history well. The museum has increased its building space to over 30,500 sq. ft. and has become the largest educational center on funeral customs in the United States and perhaps even the world. Each year thousands of visitors come to the museum to explore the 15 permanent exhibits ranging from embalming rituals of ancient Egypt to memorabilia of celebrities and public figures.
In 2005 the museum collaborated with the Vatican in its celebration of the lives and deaths of the Popes. The collection has authentic items on display such as the Popemobile (also known as the Saintmobile) used by St. John Paul II in 1982, vestments from the Gammarelli’s the tailor shop in Rome who has dressed the last seven Popes, originals Swiss Gaurd uniforms (the Pope’s security detail).
Some of the newest arrivals to the museum:
1 of 5 Generational Hair Wreaths in existence today
General Robert E. Lee death mask
The signed document by U.S. President Martin Van Buren
Coffins from Switzerland, Austria, and Italy.
Civil War era surgical pieces
1800’s burial clothing
Cremation
Cremation has become quite popular in the funeral industry. In 2016 cremations eclipsed casket burials as the most popular service for death services. In 1960 only 3/6% of Americans chose to be cremated and in 2016 it was up to 50%. As cremation has increased there is still a lack of understanding of the process and its possibilities. That is why the cremation
Cremation in the United States is the new tradition. In 2016, cremation reached a major milestone when it eclipsed casketed burial as the most popular form of disposition—and it shows no signs of slowing. In 1960, only 3.6% of Americans chose cremation. In 2016, 50.1% did. But even as cremation has soared in popularity, a significant lack of understanding about the process and possibilities of cremation exists. That’s why The History of Cremation exhibit is so important.
The National Museum of Funeral History (NMFH) has opened The History of Cremation, a joint project developed with CANA, Cremation Association of North America, to tell the full-circle story of cremation in America: from chronicling its birth in Pennsylvania to demonstrating a step-by-step modern cremation process and illuminating the seemingly endless possibilities for memorialization. Visitors will walk away with a new respect and appreciation for this widely misunderstood industry.
Coming later this year there will be a tribute to Roy Rogers. February 1 – December 31, 2018.
Roy Rogers also was known as “America’s Favorite Cowboy” was a renowned singing star of television, radio, and film. The highlight of the tribute will be the 1963 Pontiac Bonneville convertible that he once owned. The exhibit will also have many of his custom stage outfits.