Why did the 3 Wise men bring gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh to the new born King?

 

 We can see according to the Gospel of Matthew (2:11). These valuable items were standard gifts to honor a king in the ancient world: gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil. What does this have to do with the Funeral Profession? If we look back in history it was an Egyptian custom that if someone of nobility was born they would immediately start planning for their death by beginning to build a pyramid. In a sense that was one of the reasons the three wise men brought these three gifts to the King (Jesus). Remember, Christianity had not started yet, so they were having to abide by Jewish tradition and Roman traditions.

~ Definitions: Myrrh- is an expensive spice, used for making perfume, incense, medicine, and for anointing the dead.
~ Frankincense- is the gum or resin of the Boswellia tree, used for making perfume and incense.

(Matthew: 27-57)(Mark:15)

Joseph, of the small town of Arimathea , went in the evening to ask the body from the procurator. Joseph was a rich and honorable man, a member of the Sanhedrim. The Roman law, at this period, commanded, moreover, that the body of the person executed should be delivered to those who claimed it. Pilate, who was ignorant of the circumstance of the crurifragium, was astonished that Jesus was so soon dead, and summoned the centurion who had superintended the execution, in order to know how this was. Pilate, after having received the assurances of the centurion, granted to Joseph the object of his request. The body probably had already been removed from the cross. They delivered it to Joseph, that he might do with it as he pleased.

Nicodemus,
whom we have already seen employing his influence more than once in favor of Jesus, came forward at this moment. He arrived, bearing  a mixture of 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes to anoint Jesus' body when it was laid in the tomb.the materials necessary for embalming. Joseph and Nicodemus interred Jesus according to the Jewish custom—that is to say, they wrapped him in a sheet with myrrh and Frankincense.

Here's were the gold comes in.In ancient Greek and Roman mythology Charon was the ferryman who would take the souls of the dead across the River Styx to the afterlife. He demanded payment for the crossing, hence the gold.

This is also why Catholics believe that St. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are the Patron Saints of Funeral Directors and Embalmers.