Funerals in the 1800's

When John Allison/Monkhouse began here in Victoria in the 1860s, most funeral directors were cabinet makers who became involved in funerals as a result of their expertise and ability to provide transport for the coffin.

Most deaths occurred at home and the funeral director delivered the coffin to the residence of the deceased. There the family members prepared the body, placed it in the coffin in the main room (sometimes on the dining room table), where friends and family could view the person prior to the funeral.

Most often, funerals were held at the local church or grave-side. The funeral was a community occasion with people walking to attend the service and with the coffin conveyed to the funeral site in a hearse. Although women attended the church, it was less common for them to be present at the burial.

Today, our expertise is more refined and our service is tailored to the unique requirements of each family.