The Lansford Historical Society will offer a special program and exhibit about death, burial and mourning customs at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the Lansford Historical Society Museum on East Bertsch Street in Lansford.

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.

The special guest speaker will be Bob Vybrenner of Tamaqua, who is well-versed on the subject. He will be dressed as a typical 19th century undertaker would have been dressed.

His program will focus on the common, and sometimes not so common, practices after death during the 1800s and early 1900s. He will explain how and where many of these practices started and which ones are still practiced commonly today.

As part of this special program, there will be an exhibit of many original artifacts including an early wooden coffin, photographs, clothing from the period, tools of the undertaking trade and mourning tributes.

Halloween refreshments will follow the program. The public is encouraged to come dressed in their best Victorian mourning outfits for the presentation.