A Further Contribution to the Study of the Mortuary Customs of the North American Indians

"A Further Contribution to the Study of the Mortuary Customs of the North American Indians" by H. C. (Harry Crécy) Yarrow is a historical record that explores the varying traditions concerning death and burial among Indigenous North American tribes. It seeks to capture the wide array of practices before cultural shifts erase them from memory, diving into how these societies dealt with mortality through different methods like ground burials, burning of the dead, and water-based rituals. The book begins by emphasizing the pressing need to document these fading customs, categorizing the diverse methods of burial and setting the groundwork for a deeper viewing of the specific ceremonies and beliefs linked to death across different tribes. Overall, the book paints a picture of the many ways North American cultures approached death, underlining the shared traits and unique differences in their ceremonial customs.