Buzz
A fashion enthusiast might claim they 'wouldn't be caught dead' in a poor outfit, but in reality, most individuals rarely give much thought to the attire they’ll wear in their final moments. Today, a person's last outfit is often a simple suit or dress chosen by a family member from their wardrobe. Some may even express their wishes in advance, but again, it’s likely to be a suit or dress.
When people think of past eras, they often assume that linen burial shrouds and basic robes were the standard. However, dressing the deceased has always been a significant aspect of human culture. Today, there are even death-positive movements that are helping to revive corpse fashion, making it popular again worldwide.
10. Bridal Gowns
In the 1800s, most people couldn’t afford to have clothes custom-made by a tailor unless they were wealthy. As a result, women often sewed their own garments—wedding dresses included. Brides-to-be would splurge on the finest fabrics and decorations they could afford. Traditionally, people were buried in their best clothing, and for many women, their wedding dress was the most beautiful piece they owned.
In the past, the risks of women dying during childbirth were much higher than they are today. Women understood that marriage and childbirth were life-threatening endeavors. In a diary from the 1870s, a newlywed woman named Mrs. Wade dyed her silk wedding dress from white to brown just a week before giving birth and explained to her husband how she wished to appear if she were to die. Tragically, her prediction came true when she passed away a month after giving birth, likely due to an infection.
9. The Jade Burial Suit
For centuries, ancient Chinese texts described the royal family members of the Han dynasty (206 BC to AD 220) being buried in jade shrouds. Historians dismissed these stories as mere legend, since jade was even more valuable than gold. However, in 1968, the legend came to life when the tombs of Prince Liu Sheng and Princess Dou Wan were uncovered, containing golden, silver, bronze, and jade artifacts. Their bodies were covered in thousands of individual jade plaques sewn together, and records suggest that at least two dozen other royal family members received the same treatment.
In traditional Chinese medicine, jade is believed to have healing properties and was thought to have the power to prevent decay. By the time the jade burial suits were excavated, the bodies of the prince and princess had almost entirely disintegrated, but the outlines of their bodies were preserved in the jade, lasting forever.
8. Mummy Wrapping
Everyone is familiar with the classic Halloween image of a mummy wrapped in long strips of cloth. The ancient Egyptians indeed wrapped their deceased in cloth, and some modern historians refer to this material as 'mummy tape.' For centuries, the tape was made from linen, but eventually, Egyptian society shifted to using more luxurious silk. This silk, imported from China specifically for mummification, was used in the burial of high-profile figures. Cleopatra, for instance, was wrapped in an elegant white 'Sidonian fabric.' Many Egyptian mummies remain so well-preserved that their cloth wrappings are still intact today.
While silk is undoubtedly luxurious, it is also highly biodegradable. In 1998, archaeologists discovered a stone sarcophagus containing remains from fourth-century England, during Roman rule. At first, it seemed the body had completely vanished, until traces of gold thread and damask silk were found. The Romans, unlike the Egyptians, valued luxury in burial rituals but were far less concerned with ensuring the bodies remained intact for eternity.
7. The Beaded Shroud
During the Dynastic Period of Egypt (3150 to 2686 BC), at least one mummy was wrapped in an intricate beaded shroud. This elaborate covering, resembling a giant amulet, was draped over the mummified body. The beads were carefully sewn into designs representing the Egyptian gods Khepri, Osiris, and Anubis, symbolizing protection for both the body and the soul in the afterlife. Among the designs were scarab beetles, pillars, and two black dogs, all of which had spiritual significance.
Artifacts of similar beaded jewelry from this era have been unearthed, leading archaeologists to believe that these creations were the epitome of ancient Egyptian fashion. The beaded shroud, in particular, is a masterpiece, showcasing the skillful craftsmanship of the time. Remarkably, one of these shrouds has survived the centuries and is now exhibited at the Louvre in France.
6. Sham Suits
Dressing a deceased body can be a complex task, and a little-known trick in the funeral industry involves cutting open the back of a suit or dress to make it easier to dress the body while lying on its back. The excess fabric is tucked underneath, unseen by mourners during the viewing, as they only view the body from the waist up.
The challenge of dressing a corpse has been an ongoing issue for undertakers. Over time, inventive solutions have been devised. In 1912, Charles Holcomb patented a 'sham suit'—a vest and jacket combination with an open back. This design could be adjusted to fit the body and tied together, mimicking an expensive custom-tailored suit but at a fraction of the cost.
5. Tinguian Funeral
In the Philippines, the Tinguian people observe unique funeral traditions. Upon a person’s death, the family will wash the body and place it in a chair within their home. The deceased is dressed in the finest attire and adorned with accessories. A silver wire is often used to support the head. During this time, the family will offer food and alcohol to the deceased, honoring them with deep respect.
The body remains in the family’s home for a week or more, with relatives tending to it daily, changing its clothing and accessories as needed. The wife of the deceased is required to wear a sheet over her head as a sign of mourning. Relatives, too, dress in their oldest clothes to signify their grief. As a result, the corpse is always the best-dressed member of the household. This tradition continues until the funeral concludes.
4. Fantasy Coffins
In Ghana, people may spend as much as a full year’s salary on their funerals, as traditional coffins are deemed far too plain to honor someone's life. At Kane Kwei Coffins, artists craft 'fantasy coffins'—coffins that reflect the deceased’s profession or passions. For instance, a fisherman could be buried in a coffin shaped like a fish or boat, while someone who aspired to wealth might be laid to rest in a wooden replica of a luxury car. These unique coffins take about two weeks to make and cost $700. However, an upgrade to a mahogany version is available for $3,000, with some families displaying them as artistic pieces in their homes.
The Kane Kwei shop, operating since 1950, has gained such popularity that Ghanaians living abroad will even pay to have these fantasy coffins shipped to them. In 2014, a coffin designed to resemble James Dean’s Porsche sold at a London auction house for over $9,000.
3. Biodegradable Clothes
As environmental awareness grows, people are becoming more conscious of the impact of embalming chemicals in decomposing bodies. This has sparked a movement toward eco-friendly funerals, known as 'green burials.' Those opting for such burials typically seek biodegradable clothing as well. Garments for the Grave, a company specializing in this field, creates clothes made from raw silk, organic cotton, and hemp to ensure they decompose naturally alongside the body.
Designer Jae Rhim Lee has created a unique form of burial clothing made from biodegradable materials and mushroom spores, which begin to grow after death. These mushrooms serve the dual purpose of breaking down the body and detoxifying any harmful chemicals left behind. In order to select the right mushrooms, Jae used samples of her own hair, skin, and nails to study which mushroom species are most effective at decomposing human body parts.
2. Black Nikes
Members of the Heaven’s Gate cult were required to follow strict uniformity, including wearing identical outfits. Each member donned an all-black tracksuit adorned with a colorful patch that read 'Heaven’s Gate Away Team.' Their footwear was also standardized: a pair of black and white Nike Decade sneakers. In 1997, 39 members of the group carried out a mass suicide over several days. The surviving members then covered the faces of their deceased companions with identical purple shrouds.
The reason for the mass suicide was the cult’s belief that God was an alien, and that the Hale-Bopp comet would bring a spaceship to transport them to Heaven, allowing them to 'graduate' from their human existence. After images of the suicide were broadcast, Nike swiftly ceased selling the sneakers, which, paradoxically, turned the Nike Decades into collector's items. One morbid eBay seller listed an unused pair for $6,660.
1. Cannabis Leaves
In 2016, archaeologists discovered the remains of a man in his thirties, buried about 2,500 years ago in Turpan, China. After examining the body, scientists concluded that the man was Caucasian. During that era, Turpan was a desert oasis along the Silk Road, frequented by travelers. What made this burial particularly unusual wasn't the man's ethnicity, but the fact that his entire body was covered in cannabis plants. The plants appeared to have been freshly cut right before the funeral, suggesting that Turpan was once abundant in marijuana, and the traveler may have been seeking to acquire some for resale back home.
This traveler wasn't alone in his association with cannabis. A decade earlier, another body from a similar time period was found, buried with a large bag of cannabis seeds and crushed leaves. Initially, archaeologists speculated that this man was likely a 'shaman.' However, as more cannabis burials are discovered, it has become clear that marijuana was popular not just with spiritual figures, but also with ordinary people of that time.
