Prior to the advent of the funeral director career, death and dying was taken care of by the family within the Victorian home. Death was an inevitable part of life for all members of the household, including children. The exhibit focuses on all aspects of “the celebration of death.” Since there were a large number of Chinese and Jewish residents of Central City in the early days, a portion of the exhibit focuses on their unique death rituals and practices.

A large collection of funeral ephemera are on display. Items include coffins screws and plates, funeral supply house “promotional gifts”, remembrance cards, embalming and mortuary equipment, memorial hair wreaths, caskets and biers and a small cemetery.