Who were the prior performers of personal services in funerals?

The option indicating nurses, cabinet-makers, livery, and layers out of the dead accurately reflects the historical context of personal services in funerals. In earlier times, funerary practices were often a communal effort involving various professionals who each had a role to play in the process.

Nurses were historically involved in caring for the deceased during their final moments and might have helped prepare the body for burial. Cabinet-makers were essential as they crafted caskets for the deceased, a critical component of funerary services. The term "livery" refers to those who provided transportation, often responsible for carrying the deceased to their final resting place. "Layers out of the dead" is a historical term referring to individuals trained in preparing the deceased for burial, including dressing and framing the body.

This blend of professions highlights how funeral services were traditionally a collaboration among community members with specific skills, differing significantly from the modern concept of a funeral director coordinating all aspects of the service. The historical division of labor showcases the variety of roles that contributed to funeral practices before the establishment of modern funeral services.