The Scent of Grief: Understanding Aromatic Death Rituals

I am haunted by the smell of her and terrified of it going away because that will mean she is truly gone.

Scent anchors us to memory in ways words never can. One trace of a loved one’s perfume can summon their laughter and the warmth of their skin. When that scent finally fades, it feels as though they die a second time. Their living essence vanishes for good.

Across cultures and centuries, people have turned to aromatics to bridge this painful threshold; to purify, preserve, and remember. From the resins burned at ancient funerary rites to the flowers placed upon graves, scent has long been the invisible language of mourning.

Optional take-home activities

In this class, historian and perfumer Nuri McBride invites you to explore the olfactory dimensions of grief. Together, we will move through aromatic death traditions from around the world, tracing how cultures have used fragrance to mark…