The Victorians and Death

The Victorians, living during Queen Victoria's reign (1837–1901), had a complex relationship with death, influenced by social, religious, and technological changes. They saw death as a natural part of life, often mourning through elaborate rituals and memorials, but also sought comfort through spiritual beliefs and family remembrance. Mourning practices included wearing black, keeping mementos, and visiting graves frequently. Advances in medicine reduced some fears, yet the high mortality rates from disease made death a common, shared experience. Their attitudes reflect both a deep reverence and an acknowledgment of death’s inevitability within their rapidly changing society.