VISUAL ARTS + MUSEUMS

The National Museum of Funeral History opened its doors on the evening of October 18, 1992. The Museum was founded by Mr. Robert L. Waltrip after 25 years of dreaming of an institution that would educate the public and preserve the rich heritage of the funeral industry. With over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space the National Museum of Funeral History is the largest educational center on Funeral Heritage in the United States and perhaps the world.

The National Museum of Funeral History Features Artifacts from throughout the United States and the World. The Museum is the home of rare artifacts and interesting historical information about one of our most important cultural rituals.

Exhibits include:
1900's Casket Factory (pictured)
Experience the skill and workmanship of 100 years ago as you enter an authentically recreated Casket Factory set in the early 1900's. Witness how it was done before modern machines entered the industry.

Civil War Embalming
Enter this exhibit and see how Dr. Thomas Holmes conducted embalming on the battlefields of the Civil War. Dr. Holmes helped introduce embalming as a common practice in America.

A selection of the thousands of artifacts your may find on the Exhibition Floor:
Cruciform Casket and Glass Casket
Manufactured specifically by the Cruciform Casket Company of Oswego, New York, this unique casket did not survive the 19th century. The solid glass casket made by DeCamp Consolidated Glass Casket Company, Muskogee, Oklahoma, was specially designed to be made airtight.

1860 German "Glaswagen" Funeral Coach
Constructed in Germany by an unknown coach-builder this type of funeral coach was designated a "glaswagen" because of its use of heavy, beveled, French plate glass windows. On this particular example, these windows incorporated an intricate acid-etched cayuse leaf and memorial torch design as additional decoration.

John F. Kennedy's Eternal Flame
Originally commissioned in 1963, JFK's Eternal Flame burned bright 24 hours a day,rain or shine, for over 25 years. In 1998 the flame was replaced with a newer unit allowing for a longer service life of the flame. JFK's Original Eternal Flame was then placed into the National Museum of Funeral History on permanent loan to show the general public not only its glory, but also its general operation.

And click here for the Fantasy Coffins online exhibit 12 coffins hand carved to resemble forms ranging from animals to objects representative of the life of the deceased.