Victorian photographs of dead people

[Graham]

My late mother-in-law, Dublin born and bred, told us that when her grandfather died the family bought him a new suit, had him shaved and his hair cut, and also made up. At his wake he was sat at the head of the table......thankfully no photo has survived! This I think would have been during the 1920's.

The Victorians were obsessed with death and dying, and 'correct' periods of mourning for various dead relatives were a social necessity. Queen Victoria as is well known remained in mourning for Albert for the rest of her life. A huge number of morbid and maudlin 'parlour' songs were composed about death and the passing of loved ones.

Graham

[Rosella]

I once knew someone who collected these momento mori photos as a hobby. Taking such photographs seems to have been more of an American habit than a British one, perhaps because relatives in the US lived such vast distances apart. Though Australia doesn't seem to have caught on to the fashion. They are interesting, and some of the ones taken of children look as if the child is just asleep.

[GUT]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36389581

"Taken from Life: Victorian Death Photographs"

Very interesting article on an aspect of life now long lost.

It was for a period very common.

[Pcdunn]

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-36389581

"Taken from Life: Victorian Death Photographs"

Very interesting article on an aspect of life now long lost.