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Feasts were the principal way of honoring the dead, first at the time of
burial and afterwards at intervals set by local custom. The feasts were initially
conducted by the graveside, but in later times took place in a nearby house
of a relative. The importance of food is borne out by discoveries of animal
bones, eggs, shells and nuts, along with eating and drinking
implements in and around tombs. Wine and water jars were set outside the
grave to slake the thirst of the dead and mark the final rites at the closing
of the grave.
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Northwest Asia Minor Marble Grave Stele |
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