In ancient Roman times, where did ordinary people typically hold their funerals?

In ancient Roman times, ordinary people typically held their funerals at home. This practice was rooted in the customs of family and community, as funerals were intimate events where family members would come together to honor and remember the deceased. The home served as a familiar and personal environment for mourning and for conducting the necessary rituals associated with death. Gatherings at the home allowed for a more direct involvement of family members and friends in the preparation of the body and the memorializing processes, emphasizing the social and familial aspects of death.

The other locations mentioned, such as churches, public spaces, and nighttime settings, did not primarily serve as venues for ordinary funerals. While churches later became prominent spaces for funerals, especially for notable figures or during later periods, they were not the typical choice for everyday people in ancient Roman times. Public spaces were generally not suitable for private mourning, and funerals at night were not a common practice, as the rituals were usually conducted during the day to allow for community participation and visibility.