This practice, one of many legalized in Vatican II (“two”), was linked to increasing secularism by Alvin J. Schmidt. For 10 points each:
[10h] Name this practice performed by the Romans after the removal of the os resectum, and prior to installment in a columbarium niche.
ANSWER: cremation [or burning the dead; or burning corpses]
[10m] This commodity, used to embalm corpses, was drunk by Jesus on the Cross according to Mark, rather than vinegar. The Magi brought this commodity, which “brings gathering gloom” in a popular Christmas carol, to the infant Jesus.
ANSWER: myrrh
[10e] According to Schmidt, unembalmed burial was historically the norm in the Christian world outside this region. Coptic Christians in this country continued to embalm and mummify their dead after converting, despite no longer worshipping Anubis.
ANSWER: Egypt [or Maṣr; accept Kēme or Kūmat or km.t (“kem-et”)]
<Editors, Religion>