How the Victorians morned their dead.

Looking at how the Victorians mourned their dead is very interesting. One of the most common ways for someone to mourn their loved one was by wearing black clothing. In fact, Queen Victorian herself mourned for her husband Prince Albert who passed away in 1861, for 40 years and throughout those 40 year she wore black. During her mourning she did not change anything in her house.  Everyday her servant would change her husband's bedsheets, set out his clothes and bring hot water and his shaving cap out. Also the glass which he used to take his medication in  stayed in the same place beside his bed for 40 years.

This was Queen Victoria’s way of mourning; some would say this is a very long time for one to mourn someone however I think its is understandable considering how young Albert was when he died. One should be allowed to mourn for as long as they fell the need.

Mourning period 

There were four periods of mourning, each one with its own rules and customs. The widow used to carry out the first one, which usually lasted two and a half years.

·      The first period of mourning or deep mourning lasted one year and one day. The costumes were of two pieces, a bodice and a skirt. -Working-class women could make a cotton dress or dye one in black. Middle class-women could choose from black wool, cotton or silk. Upper-class women could use the latest trend but always in silk or wool. The main feature of this period was the long black veil that reached to the waist or to the knees. Women were not allowed to wear jewellery and could only leave home to go to church or to visit relatives. If the wife had no small children to raise, they were allowed to marry after this period.

• The second period of mourning lasted six months or until the time of the widow’s death, as in the case of Queen Victoria. In this period the veil became shorter and they could use it over their heads. In addition, they could use jewellery made of the deceased hair, either a brooch or a bracelet.

• The third mourning period lasted between three to six months. In this period the only thing that changed was the veil,  which was shorter than in the second period.

•The fourth mourning period or half mourning lasted between six months or until the widow’s  the death. Dresses could be designed to the latest fashion; they only had to be made with half mourning colours like grey, violet, lilac, mauve or white.

 Regarding men, the widower only had one mourning period.  This period lasted between six months and one year. They could continue with their life and work. Their suit had to be made from a black cloth.  Finally, when people finished with the mourning period and wanted to return to normal life, they had to send cards to their friends so that they could make visits and be visited.

One other way to mourn someone in the Victorian times and in some cultures today is by having a piece of jewellery that is made from the dead loved one’s hair; in some cases the jewellery would have a picture and hair together. This is a more personal way of mourning and it meant one could always have a piece of the loved one with them at all times. 

ebeccalikes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/vintage-hair-jewelry.html

http://victorianeracnr.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/rules-and-customs-of-mourning-in.html)