During the Victorian Era (1837-1901) death traditions were taken very seriously, almost to the point of being considered 'cultish'. There were strict rules in place in regards to mourning, mainly directed towards women.
In England, a widow was not permitted to leave her house unless she was dressed fully in black and wore a mourning veil, and her social life was restricted to only going to church.
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| Victorian Era Woman in full mourning. |
She was expected to live her life in the mourning state for over two years. In the United States, women were a bit more relaxed in their rules, but were still expected to dress in full mourning.
Full mourning lasted one year and a day and the wardrobe consisted of dull black clothing with no embellishments, the only exception being the black crepe mourning veil.
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| Victorian Era Woman in second mourning |
Second mourning still consisted of dull black cloth, but the period was only around nine months. The black crepe veil was lifted and worn back on the head and mourning jewelry was now allowed.
Notice how there is now lace and pattern work incorporated into the second mourning gown?
Then there was half-mourning, a period which could last three to six months, color was gradually introduced back into the wardrobe and jewelry could now be freely worn.
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| Half-mourning dress |
See how the half-mourning dress now incorporates the color white (other colors such as purple were also used) and lace work is done on the dress. These are classic markings of a half-mourning dress.
On the flip side of the coin, Victorian era men (widowers) had it much easier when it came to mourning. They could wear any dark suite that they owned and could go about their lives like going to work without being scandalized. Even though the standard mourning time for men was two years they could end their single status really at any time.
Parents who lost children, or children who lost parents were both in the same. They wore and observed the same mourning rituals and rules of that of a widow. The exception being that females under 17 never wore the black crepe veils, and young children were not kept in mourning for more than a year.
Now if we were to look half way around the world say at India, a country that is predominantly Hindu, we will see that the customs towards funeral fashion is directly opposite. Whereas black is seen as mourning in the United States because it is void of all color and therefore life; many Indians and those of the Hindu faith find that wearing all white is the most appropriate because white symbolizes light and life.
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| Funeral procession in India |
When in doubt always go for the black dress or the black suite; unless of course you are attending a funeral in a different religion or with different customs that you are not very aware of, in which case it is always best to ask by either contacting the funeral home or the priest/minister presiding over the funeral.
Clothing should be kept modest and tasteful jewelry is acceptable. Colored accents or patterns are now also acceptable, but please do not show up to a funeral in a prom dress or a leopard print bikini...unless Huge Hefner died in which case, go for it! (although you'd probably be best just sticking to black...suite not the bikini!)
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| Just your friendly neighborhood mortician! |
So here I am in my work suite, which is also very funeral appropriate (duh). I am wearing black pants, black shoes and socks, a white button up collard shirt and a black suite jacket.
You would honestly not believe the nightmare it has been trying to find a white button up shirt that fits. I had to order some online from Amazon because I just could not find anything for less than $20. You see kids, when you work with dead people for a living, the cheaper your shirts are the better you feel when gross things happen to them.
It was actually easier for me to find a decently priced suite jacket, thank you JCP and Economics 195 class! [What I mean is, don't go out and buy the first jacket you see, instead look around and find the best deal...you're probably saying 'well duh, that's just common sense'...and you're right, it's also an economics lesson that I learned in Econ]
Well after rambling on about funeral fashions I hope that you leave reading this blog post a more enlightened about funeral fashions.
So tell me, have you ever experienced or witnessed a funeral fashion faux pas? If so, leave a comment down below!
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