Tradition and health and changes in the necropolis of Pelotas/RS

Abstract

The article sought to identify in the mortuary history possible classifications of necropolises as to their organizations and customs. Through a study of the burial forms in Brazil of century XIX, the cemeteries of the city of Pelotas were analyzed and grouped in two categories. The necropolis of tradition covered the first four holy fields of the city. In this group, characteristics that perpetuate the traditions of the church were observed, without a concern about the dangers that decomposed bodies near the city presented. The necropole of health followed determinations to avoid the spread of diseases, represented a holy field of Pelotas and used solutions of the Roman city of Antiquity, adapted to assist in the organization of the necropolis. With this, it was verified that the preoccupation with the health replaced the tradition in the holy fields of Pelotas, changing the places of burial to avoid the propagation of diseases coming from the bodies in decomposition.