National Museum of Funeral History celebrates life after death

HOUSTON, Texas -- The National Museum of Funeral History is not a morbid place. It celebrates life, death, and how we say goodbye to the ones we love.

The museum was started in 1992 as a way to honor the funeral industry, including how it began and how it has evolved over the years.

It is now one of the largest educational centers on funeral customs in the United States, with thousands of visitors each year learning about traditions and rituals from cultures all over the world.

One of the biggest exhibits is Celebrating the Lives and Deaths of the Popes. The museum worked with the Vatican to build the unique collection, including original uniforms worn by the Swiss Guard and clothing from a tailor shop in Rome that has outfitted the last seven Popes.

Museum president Genevieve Keeney said, "Death is a part of life. Death will happen to each and every one of us. We've been exposed to death more in the last couple of years due to COVID. Its where we all end up. So it's not a morbid subject. It's more of a journey of our next step in life."