Page "Burial" Paragraph 35

In the African-American slave community, slaves quickly familiarized themselves with funeral procedures and the location of gravesites of family and friends.

Specific slaves were assigned to prepare dead bodies, build coffins, dig graves, and construct headstones.

Slave funerals were typically at night when the workday was over, with the master present to view all the ceremonial procedures.

Slaves from nearby plantations were regularly in attendance.