Lizzie Borden Society Forum

Does anyone know why the autopsies on Abby and Andrew's bodies were done right in the house, instead of in a morgue? Was this a common practice during the Victorian Era? This is the first time I've heard of autopsies being conducted in a private residence.

I think it was common practice, I don't think they had much available in the way of refrigeration. I expect funerals were not put off for long and the fewer times the bodies had to be moved, the better.

that makes complete sense...of course, methods of preserving/storing bodies weren't anywhere near as advanced as they were today.

If I'm not mistaken, embalming came into practice during the Civil War as a method of preserving the remains of fallen soldiers for transportation to their homes for burial. It was an additional expense, so it was optional at that time, and might well have been so in 1892.

While trying to find if there was anything substantial about embalming since I believe not all people had it done at that time I came across this thread here which is interesting. http://mondolizzie.com/LBForum/viewtopi ... highlight=

I know the Liz (thank you, Allen Ludden) Montgomery movie takes many liberties, but my fave scene is the one in which she descends the stairs with her (kerosene burning?) lamp, to view the sheet-covered bodies "laid out" on the dining-room table. Pure Lady Macbeth!