The Museum Of Funeral Services In Arkansas Is Not For The Faint Of Heart
By Carol Ann Carson|Published October 26, 2017
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
From the Boggy Creek Monster to an abandoned medieval fortress, Arkansans may have some quirks. We certainly aren’t in denial over it; in fact, we’re pretty proud of our weird roots. One of the many ways we celebrate our oddities is through our museums. Sure, we have the standard art and history museums but places like the Lum & Abner Museum or Galaxy Collection (a plethora of vintage Star Wars memorabilia for those of you without the force) are worth the out-of-the-way drive. While most of Arkansas’ museums are historical or delightfully quirky, some are a bit creepier. The Museum of Funeral Services in Newport is definitely worth a visit but perhaps not for the faint of heart.
Here lies Jackson’s Funeral Home. It’s in the northeast city of Newport.
The funeral home has been operated by the Jackson family since 1946. At first glance they seem like a standard funeral home, church services, graveside services, and cremations are offered.
Jackson’s is also home to the Funeral Services Museum.
You’ll get the chance to learn about the history of funeral services as well as death rituals. Funeral rites have existed as long as people have. They have always included a ceremony of some sort, a sacred location for the deceased, and memorials.
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The friendly staff at Jackson’s is ready to educate visitors about the evolution of the funeral process.
Embalming became popular in the U.S. during the Civil War. Thomas Holmes was the father of modern day embalming because of his discovery of slightly less toxic preserving chemicals. Oddly enough, upon his death he requested to not be embalmed.
Some of the oldest ones they have are from the late 1800s. These coffins would have round viewing windows to view the deceased, but the face would be covered by mesh.
The museums different exhibits highlight some of the quirks that came along with burials.
In the antebellum South, mourning social norms were similar to that of the Victorians. Both cultures were strict in that a new wardrobe and accessories must be dedicated to the mourning period.
The exhibits also inform visitors on the evolution of the funeral home.
The funeral home industry reached a bust at the start of the 20th century. In the late 1800s, an average parlor held 200 funerals but by the 1920s it dwindled to about 50. This was due to the lower death rate caused by increased sanitation.
The museum even has its own antique funeral coach.
Before horse-drawn coaches, the hearse was simply carried by hand. Detailing of the hearse became quite elaborate after wooden hearses became established in the 19th century.
Jackson’s can be unearthed at 1910 Malcolm Ave., Newport, AR 72112.
It’s a little unnerving to think a funeral service museum is located in the same building as the dearly departed but it definitely adds to the authenticity. Have you visited Jackson’s? What’s another quirky museum in Arkansas? Let us know in the comments six feet below!
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