Funeral Service Practice Exam

What does a publique burial refer to in Colonial times?

1. Private family plots in cemeteries

2. Burial spaces accessible to all members of the community

3. Burial in church buildings

4. Graves that were marked with stones only

The correct answer is: Burial spaces accessible to all members of the community

A publique burial in Colonial times refers to burial spaces that were accessible to all members of the community. This concept reflects the communal nature of burial practices during that era, where the community played a significant role in the mourning and remembrance of the deceased. Such burial areas would typically be located within a common cemetery or public space, emphasizing a collective approach to mortality and remembrance. Public burials were distinct from private family plots, which were reserved for individual families and not available to the broader community. While burials might occur at or near church buildings, the term "publique burial" specifically denotes open access rather than an exclusive religious context. Additionally, graves marked only with stones do not encapsulate the broader accessibility inherent in the idea of a publique burial, which aimed to be inclusive of all community members.