A Brief History The American funeral industry as we know it today took shape in the 1800s, in part because of the devastating impact of the Civil War. Before that era, families cared for their dead at home, preparing the body in their own parlors and holding wakes with neighbors and community members. But the war changed everything. With soldiers dying far from home, embalming became essential to return their bodies to grieving families for burial. Embalming know-how didn’t disappear once peace returned — instead, it grew into a profession. Funeral parlors, the first true funeral homes, offered not just preparation services but also spaces for ceremonies and gathering, bringing grieving families together under one roof. These businesses became trusted pillars in their communities, balancing respect for tradition with gentle innovation. Even today, many funeral homes are still family-run, passed down through generations, carrying forward a powerful legacy of service and care.
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