Life’s Greatest Mystery at the Royal Alberta Museum
News release
October 22, 2025 Media inquiries
Discover the lore of life’s inevitable end in a new feature exhibit to die for at the Royal Alberta Museum.
Alberta’s government is proud to support the province’s legendary museums and historic sites that explore and share Alberta’s past, present and future with the world. For almost six decades, the Royal Alberta Museum has been at the forefront of that discovery, offering engaging learning experiences that inspire curiosity in visitors of all ages.
Next year, Albertans are invited to ask the big questions about life’s most universal experience at the newest travelling exhibition coming to the Royal Alberta Museum, Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery. Opening Feb. 26, 2026, this exhibit gives guests a chance to discover how the world experiences death through artifacts, specimens, interactives and immersive experiences.
“Alberta’s world-class museums offer unforgettable experiences, and we are excited to bring this incredible new exhibit to life at the Royal Alberta Museum. Death will spark deep conversations and leave lasting impressions, as visitors explore the mysteries of life’s final frontier.”
Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women
From captivating animal adaptations for survival to cultural practices that honour the life of those who have passed, this new travelling exhibition offers a unique opportunity to reflect on death as part of life and leave with a deeper understanding of the experience that unites us all.
“The topic of death is personal and complex. Through Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery, the Royal Alberta Museum invites Albertans to engage with life’s big questions in a safe and even surprising way. We look forward to bringing new, diverse perspectives here to Alberta and welcoming visitors to ponder the inevitability that unifies us all.”
Meaghan Patterson, executive director, Royal Alberta Museum
The Royal Alberta Museum is the first in Alberta, and only the second in Canada, to host Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery. Created by the Field Museum in Chicago in 2022, the exhibition brings together 100 objects from its anthropology, zoology, geology and botany collections, along with several replications and interactive digital and sensory experiences.
This exhibition was organized by the Field Museum with major support provided by Lilly Endowment, Inc. and additional support from Alicia and Peter Pond.
Quick facts
- Death: Life’s Greatest Mystery opens Feb. 26 and runs until Sept. 7, 2026.
- The exhibition will be presented in both English and French and will not include human remains.
- Entry to the exhibition is included with general admission, which can be purchased through the Royal Alberta Museum website or in person.
- The previous feature exhibition, Orcas: Our Shared Future, welcomed well over 112,000 visitors.
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