History of Gainesville's death industry the topic at Matheson Museum

AI-assisted summary

A recent presentation at the Matheson History Museum detailed the evolution of the death care industry in Alachua County.

Early funeral homes and cemeteries in the county were segregated, with many of the first Black cemeteries affiliated with local churches.

Before regulations, funeral homes often doubled as the area's first ambulance services.

New trends in the industry include green burials and a rise in cremations, though traditional funerals remain popular.

Death is something that touches every person, and the local death industry was the topic of discussion on Oct. 29 in Gainesville.

The Matheson History Museum hosted a discussion titled “History of the Death Care Industry in Alachua County,” drawing about 100 attendees to hear from Don Davis, a researcher