Smithsonian Article

[Lindsey]

I always thought wakes and viewings that happened in the home had happened before all of this. Isn't that why they would lie (lay?) the dead out in the parlor and people would come to pay their respects etc. along with all of the other mourning practice? Also, I think Dr. Richard Burr was already doing the arterial embalming--he's the guy standing over the body in front of a tent in that iconic picture. I'll see if I can get it added but he has some sort of pump in his hand and I think that is what they used...

You have to love how blunt the Victorians were "Embalment of HUMAN BODIES" sadly that cracked me up!