Rosemary for the dead?

Sprigs of rosemary were often carried by people in the funeral procession and cast onto the coffin before burial, much like roses are today. And as an evergreen plant, rosemary was associated with eternal life. I

t was also often placed inside coffins to conceal any odors that might be emerging from the corpse. This was important because bodies often lay in state for days and sometimes weeks before burial, while preparations were made and mourners travelled to attend the funeral.