cadauer

funeral

Corpse being carried to the funeral pyre (photo courtesy of VRoma)

Deaths in Rome were registered at the grove or the temple of Libitina, the Italic vegetal goddess who was associated with both Venus and Proserpina. In the Empire, cremations and burials were contracted out to libitinarii, undertakers, who here and in Sat.8.175, are referred to contemptuously.