Victorian Mourning

Victorian Post Mortem Photograph



Two Women in Mourning Dress

The Victorians were in a way obsessed with death and had very unusual mourning traditions before the funeral the dead are dressed as they would be when they were alive, as this gave people a feeling of comfort, there was a tradition called watching the dead, where a friend or relative would sit up to give the dead any attention necessary, this was also a tradition to make sure that the person they were burying was actually dead not just in a coma. Black crepe tied with white ribbon was placed upon the door bell or know as an indication that the dead visitor has entered the home, sometimes the door is left ajar so people could enter quietly, people would speak softly and would be helpful, children would get white crepe looped with white ribbon and black crepe with black ribbon for the aged. When someone died curtains would be drawn and clocks would be stopped at the time of the persons deaths, mirrors were covered with crape or veiling to prevent the deceased's spirit from getting trapped in the looking glass, and family photos were turned upside down to stop the close relatives and friends getting possessed by the spirit of the dead.

Post Mortem Photography.

In the 19th century grave robbery was a huge problem, so some graves were bricked over to ensure safety after death, coffin makers even created coffins with warning systems like a bell on the grave if the person was prematurely buried alive.

Post mortem photography became a huge thing in the Victorian era, so people started to photograph their deceased relatives, especially infants and children, they were a normal part of European culture in the nineteenth century, grieving families made these to help with the mourning process and were one of the only visual remembrances of the deceased, and were one of the families most precious possessions.

          

Unknown. (Unknown). House of Mourning - Victorian Mourning & Funeral Customs in the 1890s. Available: http://www.victoriana.com/VictorianPeriod/mourning.htm. Last accessed 17th Feb 2016.

Unknown. (Unknown). Victorian Mourning Etiquette . Available: http://www.tchevalier.com/fallingangels/bckgrnd/mourning/. Last accessed 17th Feb 2016.