Italian Death & Funeral Practices

Once the seat of the ancient Roman Empire, (27 BCE- 476 CE) Italy’s heritage is rich and varied. Largely responsible for the Renaissance, the country gave birth to some of the most revered artists of all time, including Michaelangelo, DaVinci and Raphael. It was also home to one of the modern world’s most tyrannical dictators, Benito Mussolini, an ally of Adolf Hitler who was executed by his countrymen at the end of WWII. Most importantly perhaps, the country is the home of the Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church and the sovereign, independent Vatican City State, where the Pope resides.

Italy is a traditional country, where art, architecture, food and music have long been cultural staples and are still to this day. Overwhelmingly Roman Catholic, the country is ethnically homogenous, with over 90% of the population being native Italian. And though the Church and State are technically separate, the Vatican and its hierarchy continue to have enormous influence over Italy’s politics, laws and cultural norms, including those that govern death, mourning and remembrance. 

Read about some death practices of Italians, from ancient Rome to modern-day Italy, below.

• In Ancient Rome, Wax Replicas of the Faces and Heads of Those Who Died Were Prepared Immediately After Death and Kept in the Family Home
• Long Before the Invention of Photography, the Ancient Romans Created Death Masks to Memorialize and Honor Their Dead
• The Ancient Roman Practice of Sending Clowns to Funerals to Ease the Sadness Is Being Resurrected in Countries Around the World
• After the Fall of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire Survived, Creating Splendid Art Dedicated to Celebrating the Dead
• The Traditional Italian Funeral Is A Solemn Religious Rite with a Small Dose of Old Country Superstition Thrown In