A couple days ago, I read an article about the clay body parts buried with Ancient Italians. Then, I got to thinking about the grand Terracotta Army and then that Six Feet Under episode with the guy buried with comics books. What are the things we carry in the afterlife and why? To protect us in the next world? To keep our personal keepsakes out of the hands of others? Because we cannot bear to live die without it?
Eventually this led to thoughts on what I’d want to be buried with. My copy of Dracula. Wine. A photo of my cat, Diamond Joe. Pizza.
The following people were buried with odd and/or meaningful objects, from Doritos to swords.
- Reuben John Smith (a practical man from Massachusetts) “selected a new recliner chair of upholstered russet leather and was interred in a sitting position, with a checkerboard on his lap” (FindaGrave). He was buried in a warm coat with a key to his tomb in his second pocket.
- Arch West (marketing executive for Frito-Lay) was responsible for the development of Doritos. His family sprinkled Doritos in his open grave before his burial.
- Princess Diana was buried with rosary beads she received from Mother Teresa.
- Humphrey Bogart (actor) was buried with a whistle inscribed with “If you need anything, just whistle.” It was placed there by his 4th wife Lauren Bacall and was a line from the film To Have and To Have Not, a movie they both starred in.
- Sandra Ilene West (socialite) was buried sitting in the driver’s seat of her her 1964 Ferrari 330 America wearing her favorite lace nightgown.
- John Jacobs (attorney) was buried with his cell phone. His wife pays the bill monthly, and the number is even etched on his gravestone for anyone interested in leaving a voicemail.
- Frank Sinatra (singer) was buried with a flask full of Jack Daniels and a pack of Camel cigarettes.
- Bela Lugosi (actor) was buried in the Dracula cape he wore in the 1931 film.
- Roald Dahl (writer) was buried with chocolate, a bottle of Burgundy, snooker cues, pencils, and a power saw.
- Harry Houdini‘s (magician) coffin was a specially designed solid bronze model with a hermetically sealed inner liner that he had used underwater in his act” (Smithsonian).
- David Kime‘s (burger lover) funeral procession stopped at his favorite food place, Burger King and everyone got a hamburger for the road. Even David got a burger, which was placed on his coffin before being lowered.
- Bob Marley (musician) was allegedly buried with his guitar and some weed.
- William Wise (Civil War Confederate Major) was buried with his horse, favorite hunting dog, and a sword. He was convinced he was going to hell and wanted to track down and kill Satan.
Have more? Share them in the comments!
Notebook of Ghosts 