Death was a part of living for our ancestors, and the burial of their love ones was a family affair. Back during the Civil War, death was so common that funeral rituals became quite elaborate. To deal with the excessive grief, a set of rules quickly developed as what was proper or improper prior to sending our loved ones to the great beyond, also known as the "Pale Nations." It was of great importance to show the "proper" amount and "style" of mourning for your loved one! It reached such a level that the years 1850-1890 became known as the "Cult of Mourning."
If you were from the upper class, then the funeral showed your wealth and social status in the community. Even the lower class spent their last dime to appear respectable to their neighbors. Failure to follow the protocol could mean social shunning and failure to be invited to the "need to be seen" events. Without hospitals, most people passed away at home where they were prepared for burial by their own family members. The married ladies, most likely the widow, sisters, or daughters, prepared the body for the coming burial. The women were "required" to wear the color black for 30 months with all social events held to a minimum.
The menfolk were not as restricted and could pass with a black armband. Whereas the ladies had to stay home the men could return to their normal social activities within a few months. A man's second wife was even required to wear black for her husband's first wife's parents. Prior to embalming, a wooden coffin was built quickly and surrounded by flowers to reduce the decomposition smell. They rang a bell, once for each year of life of the departed then the body was buried. Due to the rarity of clergy visitations, sometimes the funeral was held months after the actual burial. It was also customary to give souvenirs to the mourners that belonged to the deceased i.e. rings, gloves, clothing, etc.
Stay tuned for Pensacola Burial Customs Part II.....

Early horse drawn funeral wagon

A "cooling board" was a perforated wooden platform where they placed the departed's body. The body could remain until such time as a casket was made. Ice could also be placed underneath to keep the body cool thereby slowing down decomposition. The holes were placed in the board to allow blood and bodily fluids to drain. The board could also be used for displaying the departed if needed.

Some coffins had windows for viewing the departed.