Just to expand on one of the preservation techniques you mentioned, in the 1870's, a Louisianian was buried standing up with a torch in his hand. He used to hold a torch at night to guide boats onto shore, hence that unusual tribute. The casket was supposed to be filled with salt but, as it was hog curing time, his wife only used half the salt that was necessary as she needed the rest. So, when his sons attempted to move the body to a new cemetery a few years later, they found only the lower half of his body preserved.