Summary of Funeral Traditions in the Victorian Era

Key Lifestyle Tips and Traditions

Funeral Invitations: Invitations were hand-delivered, featuring black borders, and it was considered rude to attend without one.
Home Preparation: Upon a death, family members would:
- Close parlor drapes to keep the deceased's spirit from leaving.
- Stop all clocks to signify the moment of death.
- Cover mirrors with cloth to prevent spirits from entering them.
- Wear black mourning clothes as a public expression of grief.
Mourning Attire:
- Mourning clothes were reserved for close family members.
- The tradition of wearing black was influenced by Queen Victoria after the death of her husband, Albert.
- Mourning Attire included veils and specific styles of hats that indicated the relationship to the deceased.
Funeral Customs:
- The home was decorated with black crepe fabric and ribbons to signify the deceased's life stage.
- Professional mourners were hired to maintain a somber atmosphere at funerals.
- Food provided during visitations included pork pies, fruit cake, and "funeral biscuits."
Symbolic Practices:
- Flowers were used to convey emotions and were essential for masking odors during viewings.
- Hair from the deceased was often kept as a sentimental keepsake.
- Ostrich feathers were a popular decorative element in Mourning Attire and funeral wreaths.

Travel Highlights

Victorian families often visited large, park-like cemeteries for picnics, blending remembrance with leisure.

Health Routines

The video touches on the health implications of using toxic materials in Mourning Attire, such as arsenic-treated fabrics.

Notable Locations and Products

BillionGraves App: Encourages users to photograph gravestones to preserve family history.
Historical Context: Mention of President Abraham Lincoln's hearse adorned with Ostrich feathers and the common practice of photographing deceased loved ones.

Notable Speakers

Kathy Wallace, who shares personal family history related to Victorian morticians, adds authenticity and depth to the discussion of these customs.

Overall, the video provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural practices surrounding death and mourning in the Victorian era, emphasizing the importance of social prestige and communal support during times of grief.

Notable Quotes

— 06:52 — « Doctors or coroners who declared the person to be dead coined a new phrase by referring to the deceased as a basket case. »

— 11:28 — « It was considered inappropriate to cry in public so the professional mourner's job is to keep the tone of the day sad and serious. »

— 15:31 — « Now before the subject makes you want to roll over in your grave, think about how grateful you are that the doctor knows what the human heart looks like before they begin open heart surgery. »