Victorian mourning customs

Victorian mourning customs were elaborate rituals reflecting respect and grief for the deceased. They often began with wearing all black clothing and minimal adornment, lasting different lengths depending on the relationship—mourners typically wore black for months and later adopted lighter or subdued colors. Mourning jewelry, such as lockets containing hair or photographs, symbolized remembrance. Funerals were formal, with specific protocols like quiet customs and respectful conduct. Families also observed mourning periods to honor the departed’s memory, with social activities curtailed to reflect solemnity. These customs underscored societal reverence for the dead and the importance of mourning as a communal and personal process.