Before the Civil War, which two occupations were primarily associated with early American undertakers?

The choice of carpenter and liveryman accurately reflects the historical association of these occupations with early American undertakers prior to the Civil War. During this time, the role of undertakers was not as specialized as it is today, and many professions were interconnected in the tasks related to death care.

The carpenter aspect stems from the fact that undertakers were often responsible for constructing coffins and preparing the deceased for burial. Skilled carpenters had the tools and know-how to build coffins from wood, which was essential in a time when ready-made products were not readily available.

The liveryman was typically involved in providing transportation for both the deceased and mourners. This included horse-drawn hearses that were necessary for funerals and the overall management of the logistics related to burial services. The combination of these two occupations fulfilled the practical needs of funerary arrangements in early American society.

This historical context underlines why the carpenter and liveryman are the correct choices, as these roles effectively encompassed the duties associated with early funeral practices in that era.