This work presents an introduction to the study of pre-colonial funerary practices within the scope of archaeological research. Aimed at students and society in general, the book aims to make public how mortuary practices can be approached with a view to reconstructing the ways of life of the groups that occupied the national territory in prehistoric times. In clear and accessible language, the book provides a brief history on the study of pre-colonial mortuary rituals and practices, highlighting some theoretical considerations and proposing a methodological model for analysis. Considering that the large number of cemetery sites recorded in Brazil contrasts with the lack of archaeological research on this theme, this book also aims to encourage future studies on this vast and rich field of investigation, still very little explored in Brazilian archaeology.