What significant role did Libitina play in Roman society related to funerals?

Libitina held a significant role in Roman society as she represented the goddess of death and was closely associated with funerary rituals. In Roman mythology, she was the personification of death and was invoked during funeral ceremonies. Her influence was seen in various aspects of death, burial, and the funerary practices of the time, making her a central figure in the context of Roman funerals.

Her role went beyond mere representation; she was also linked to the concept of the afterlife and the proper rites needed to ensure a peaceful transition for the deceased. This connection made her a crucial element in the rituals that the Romans practiced, emphasizing the importance of honoring the dead and following the correct customs.

In contrast, the other alternatives do not accurately capture her primary function within Roman society in relation to funerals. For instance, stating she ruled the underworld misrepresents her as she was not a ruler like Hades or Pluto; rather, she was a personification and divine embodiment of death. Claiming she was an author on funeral practices is also incorrect, as ancient texts do not attribute authorship in this context to her. Lastly, while criers (prdicae) were indeed part of funerals to announce and mourn the deceased, attributing