Tag burial

A tag burial is a type of burial where a person is buried with a tag or label attached to their body, typically with their name, date of birth, and date of death. This practice was common in the 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in the United States.

The purpose of a tag burial was to identify the deceased person, especially in cases where the body was not embalmed or preserved. The tag was usually made of metal or paper and was attached to the body with a string or wire. The information on the tag was often written in ink or printed on a label.

Tag burials were common in rural areas where funeral homes and mortuaries were scarce. In these areas, families would often bury their loved ones on their own property or in a local cemetery. The tag was a way to ensure that the body was properly identified and to provide a sense of closure for the family.

However, the practice of tag burials has largely fallen out of favor in modern times. With the advent of embalming and other preservation techniques, the need for tags has decreased. Additionally, many cemeteries and funeral homes now use more modern methods of identification, such as grave markers and electronic records.

Despite this, some people still choose to have a tag burial as a way to honor their loved ones or to follow traditional practices. In some cases, tags may also be used as a way to add a personal touch to the burial, such as including a favorite quote or poem.

It's worth noting that the practice of tag burials has also been criticized for being inhumane and disrespectful to the deceased. Some argue that attaching a tag to a body is a cold and impersonal way to treat the dead, and that it can be seen as a way to dehumanize the deceased. Others argue that the practice is a necessary evil, as it provides a way to identify the body and ensure that it is properly buried.

Overall, the practice of tag burials is a complex and controversial topic that raises important questions about how we treat the dead and how we choose to honor our loved ones.