Question

Why was photographing dead bodies so popular in the 1800s?

Answer 1

Photographing dead bodies was popular because, the family members probably didn't have a picture of them when they were alive.

Answer 2

That’s called postmortem photography. People would commemorate the deceased by propping them up and with their eyes open. This is why they appear clearer in photos because they aren’t moving at all which was favourable to the older cameras at the time.