Museum Exhibits
The History of Funeral Practices
Ancient Egyptian and Arlington Murals
Come experience our 16-foot-wide murals that take you on a journey through the history of funeral practices throughout the ages.
Our Ancient Egyptian mural depicts funeral rituals as they were 5,000 years ago.
The Arlington mural illustrates how funeral services have evolved over the course of our nation’s history.
Each of our two murals measures 16 feet wide and 8 feet tall and are breathtaking to view in-person.
1876 Antique Horse-Drawn Hearse
One of the favorite exhibits among our visitors is our fully-restored 1876 horse-drawn hearse. Kenneth P. Scott, Sr. used this hearse in many ceremonies and parades.
Over 1100 man hours spanning two years of work went into the full restoration of the hearse, from the original silk interior to the sterling silver lamps.
1941 Antique Packard Hearse
Another favorite among our visitors is a mint condition 1941 Packard Hearse.
Acquired from its original owner, this hearse was in service for 66 years at a funeral home in Syracuse, NY.
This Packard hearse has won numerous national car show awards.
Coffins and Caskets
The museums’s coffin and casket exhibits feature numerous items from the Bob Rouse collection (1906).
– 1852 Solid Walnut Ice Chest, also known as a cooling board. Before the practice of embalming, the body would be placed into one of these for viewing and preserved until burial.
– 1906 Solid Rosewood Coffin and Solid Pine Outside Shipping Case
– Celebrity Replica Caskets
- Ronald Reagan
- President John F. Kennedy
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Elvis Presley
- John Wayne
- Marilyn Monroe
- Howard Hughes
- Mickey Mantle
Embalming
The museum’s embalming exhibit features a replica of a 19th century embalming room with all the equipment and surgical supplies needed for embalming in the family’s home, which was customary during that era.
