This podcast dives into an excerpt from Bertram Puckle's Funeral Customs, which examines historical burial practices across various cultures and religions. Puckle traces the evolution of funeral rituals, including coffin styles, grave goods, and mourning customs, highlighting the often superstitious origins of many traditions. The text contrasts ancient beliefs about the afterlife with modern practices, and critiques the commercialization of death. Finally, the author discusses the changing attitudes toward burial places and the evolving understanding of death itself.