Beggar’s Banquet: The History of Sin Eaters

An illustrated lecture with Karen Bachmann.

Having a post-funeral meal to celebrate a loved one’s passing is common. Actually consuming food off of a corpse is less common, yet this was the job of the sin-eater.The ritual of sin eating was largely prevalent during the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe. Sin-eaters were people hired to consume food and drink off of a deceased person in an effort to absolve the departed of their sins. The sin-eater, in turn, assumed the burden of the deceased’s guilt for the remainder of their own life. This was not an enviable job, to be sure.

So who were these people? Where did this practice arise from? Tonight’s lecture will explore the rather odd custom of sin eating, from its history to its religious and societal implications. Join me this evening, and feel free to bring dinner or some meat.











When: Tue., Feb. 16, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Where: Morbid Anatomy Museum
424 Third Ave. Brooklyn

Price: $8
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An illustrated lecture with Karen Bachmann.

Having a post-funeral meal to celebrate a loved one’s passing is common. Actually consuming food off of a corpse is less common, yet this was the job of the sin-eater.The ritual of sin eating was largely prevalent during the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe. Sin-eaters were people hired to consume food and drink off of a deceased person in an effort to absolve the departed of their sins. The sin-eater, in turn, assumed the burden of the deceased’s guilt for the remainder of their own life. This was not an enviable job, to be sure.

So who were these people? Where did this practice arise from? Tonight’s lecture will explore the rather odd custom of sin eating, from its history to its religious and societal implications. Join me this evening, and feel free to bring dinner or some meat.

Buy tickets/get more info now