Widow's Weeds and Weeping Veils: Mourning Rituals in 19th Century America [Soft Cover ]

During the 19th century, death shadowed daily life. A high infant mortality rate, poor sanitation, risk during childbirth, poisons, ignorance, and war kept 19th-century Americans busy practicing the ritual of mourning. The Victorian era in both Europe and America saw these rituals elevated to an art form expressing not only grief, but also religious feeling, social obligation, and even mourning fashion. Complete with period illustrations, Widow's Weeds and Weeping Veils explores how Victorians viewed death and dying as a result of the profound historical events of their time. This concise, informative work is ideal for students of Victorian-era culture and Civil War enthusiasts.Table of ContentsIntroductionWakes and FuneralsThe CemeteryThe UndertakerCaskets and CoffinsThe Good Death and the Art of DyingMorbid DesirePost Mortem PhotographySpiritualism and the AfterlifeAn Uncivil Civil WarMourning ArtMourning JewelryMourning ClothingMen in MourningChildren in MourningStages of MourningThe Etiquette of MourningThe Songs of SorrowThe Vacant Chair and Young Willie GroutEpitaphsFuneral RecipesGravestone SymbolismThe Tear CatcherMourning CollectiblesVictorian Charm StringsEnd of an EraEndnotesBibliography