Funeral rites, especially processions and public eulogies, gave the family opportunity to publicly celebrate the life and deeds of the deceased, their ancestors, and their own standing in the community. Sometimes the political elite gave costly public feasts, games and popular entertainments after family funerals, to honour the departed and to maintain a high public profile and reputation for generosity among the people. Even the simplest funerals of Rome's citizen and free majority could be very costly, relative to income. A professsional class of expert undertakers and their staff was available to manage the funeral rites and disposal. Among the elite, funeral displays and expenses were constrained by sumptuary laws, designed to reduce class envy and consequent social conflict.