Abstract

Evidence of the presence or absence and the form of coffin hardware on children's burials from the 19th century provides insight into the role and perception of children and into how death ritual may have differed in public and private environments. This study investigated coffin hardware handles from St. Thomas' Anglican Church cemetery in Belleville, Ontario. Its aim was to understand any relationship between age and the use of coffin handles during the 19th century. Comparison of coffin handle ornamentation and handle size indicated that children usually had smaller coffin handles, but were generally provided as much decoration as other age groups. Because coffin hardware is much less commonly found in children's burials in family cemeteries, its presence in public areas may indicate that even in death, it was necessary to keep up appearances.