Roman Burial customs

Roman Burial Customs The Etruscans were the first major rulers of Rome, and their customs were incorporated into early Roman custom. The importance of life after death for the Etruscans is seen in the large and elaborate necropoleis (cities of the dead) surrounding each town, and also in the size and variety as well as the decoration of rock-cut tombs. Etruscans developed three forms of tomb with which to house their deceased. The most inexpensive …

…in highly visible places in Rome. Friends and family soon incorporated the praises on the epitaphs into funeral speeches. As part of the funeral process, the laudatio funebris was a speech that praised the achievements of the individual in life. For the plebian poor, or simply those who did not hold vast tracts of land, burial was an expensive option. Cremation was a cheaper alternative. Even for nobles, cremation was a quicker and cheaper process.