Shelley Dziedzic
Member
The topic truly deserves its own thread as so many aspects present themselves for discussion: dress, home decor, visiting etiquette, burial observances, gravestones and cemeteries, etc. As many Edwardian customs found origin in Victorian times, some background would seem in order. Who can forget UPSTAIRS DOWNSTAIRS episodes of Lady Marjorie's death aboard Titanic- or the many photographs of victim funerals? Not to hold forth ad nauseum here- and it IS one of my favorite interests- maybe just a few lines to start. I just attended the most fascinating lecture in New Bedford-given by a charming lady in 1865 second mourning- or "relieved black" which is to say no face veil, some jewelry and shiney black ribbon trim. Needless to say there has always been some show of respect for the deadbut Queen Victoria surely brought mourning to state of the art-and continued to "enjoy" it for over 40 years after Albert's untimely demise. The Civil War made it necessary to embalm bodies in order to ship them home. A man named Dr. Holmes is credited with invention of the process and teaching the method in the Civil War battlefields. One recalls the cable ships, loaded with ice, caskets and supplies leaving Halifax to recover Titanic victims. Perhaps for this posting, dress might be considered. Men, having to provide for families after a funeral, wore armbands of black crape or hatbands. Suits were already dark-and they did have to go back to their offices and carry on so mourning dress did not take on the elaborate rituals of women's clothing. Children wore white. Ladies were "laid out" in negligee peignoirs most usually- men in suits. Early on in the century, shrouds were the order of the day and precious clothing was left to relatives. I recall Mrs.Smith's black bordered mourning notepaper. The width of the black band indicated the depth of the mourning on handkerchieves also. Poorer women often dyed their clothes- unfortunately the quality of dye often caused problems when items got wet- bleeding and running. Some veiling and millinery which used mercury and other toxic materials were actually dangerous to the wearer! Mourning for a husband lasted 2 years-deep mourning about 6months and by the second year, grey or lavender might be seen. Wives wore the same mourning for their husband's kin as for their own. Mourning provided a shield against thoughtless intrusion-and an acceptable excuse for retiring from public social demands. If one was not TRULY sorry about the demise- then it gave the IMPRESSION one was!
A year was about right for other family members, and 3months for a child. Out of the funeral garment demand came the popularity of jet jewelry- the most famous jet coming from Whitby, North Yorkshire (I collect this with a passion)- it is petrified acacia tree which is dug out of the seacliffs and sand, lightweight and easy to carve. The tight corseting and heavy clothing of the mid- to late 19th century often caused women to gasp for breath and swoon- which was often misconstrued for emotion- which was ALWAYS in BAD taste. Ladiesfrequently stayed at home from funerals and were excused due to the risk of being seen to be undignified in public and out of control. Who CAN forget Jackie Kennedy's magnificent composure!! The 60's were the last hurrah for solemnity and taste in funeral ritual.
Well- enough for now- needless to say- as 1912 approached, some severity was lifted, certainly the corseting and swooning-but black, and a set period of mourning was still observed.
A year was about right for other family members, and 3months for a child. Out of the funeral garment demand came the popularity of jet jewelry- the most famous jet coming from Whitby, North Yorkshire (I collect this with a passion)- it is petrified acacia tree which is dug out of the seacliffs and sand, lightweight and easy to carve. The tight corseting and heavy clothing of the mid- to late 19th century often caused women to gasp for breath and swoon- which was often misconstrued for emotion- which was ALWAYS in BAD taste. Ladiesfrequently stayed at home from funerals and were excused due to the risk of being seen to be undignified in public and out of control. Who CAN forget Jackie Kennedy's magnificent composure!! The 60's were the last hurrah for solemnity and taste in funeral ritual.
Well- enough for now- needless to say- as 1912 approached, some severity was lifted, certainly the corseting and swooning-but black, and a set period of mourning was still observed.