ABSTRACT
The burial customs, rites and ceremonies, from the remotest times, were founded in the faith that the departed still lived in the spirit. The custom find in Africa, South America, and other parts of the world. Seldom is any attempt made to care for old people, and often they are left to die of hunger. Public also learn from finds in Egypt that during the evolution of burial customs the change in the position of "the thrice-bent man," to that of "straight," was gradual, as many skeletons have been found with the upper parts placed in a contracted position and the lower limbs placed straight. The custom survived down to a comparatively late date amongst the Sclavonic people. Amongst the early Totemic people it was originally the custom to kill and eat the mother of the tribe alive, after she had ceased childbearing.
