Burial traditions have held great importance since ancient times, and this is true of many cultures and peoples. The mummification of Egyptians is well known to us, and their practice of removing fluids from the body prior to embalming to slow decay is still in use today. All across the Mesopotamian landscape, many feared lying “unburied” after death, since it was considered a curse. This was also the case with ancient Israel. Listed among the curses of Deuteronomy 28—incurred by our ancestors for the sin of covenant-breaking—is lying unburied.... |
