Macabre But Fascinating -- Victorian Era Home Decoration for a Funeral

Parlor in a Victorian Era Home Filled with Flowers for a Funeral

There is a fascinating photo essay on preparing the Victorian-era home for a funeral posted on Billion Graves. The essay is simultaneously macabre and fascinating. Posing the dead (sometimes posing with the dead), decorating and displaying locks of hair from the deceased, shrouding mirrors, mantles, and doorways in black, hanging wreathes and crepe throughout the home. Well worth checking out. Preparing the Victorian Era Home for a Funeral.

A couple of thoughts . . .

DYI’ers must have enjoyed the decorating process immensely! The perfect diversion for dealing with grief.

I also now understand that Charles Addams (the originator of the Addams Family cartoons which became the TV series in the 1960s, and then later two movies) was parodying Victorian culture. His work seemed like mere over the top comedic fiction to me. But it was genuine parody.

I had no idea that so many of our contemporary holiday decorations and traditions have their roots in Victorian-era funeral preparation. If it worked for a funeral, why not adapt it to the Victorian Christmas.

As for me and my house, we’ll stick to the simple graveside service focusing upon Christ’s saving work on behalf of sinners. Although I’d differ in a few of my requests, Scott Clark nails it. The Psalm I Want Sung at My Funeral