Mourning Patterns

The process of mourning is something that is not exclusive to any time or society, but there is great variation in the actual practices that this process creates. In particular, the specific material goods utilized to create an outward show of of this process of mourning is one that not only fluctuates, but is constantly shaped by the surrounding culture. This is particularly evident when examining the system of grief within nineteenth century England. Eventually becoming a society that was synonymous with the extended period of grieving, all aspects of life were shifted to create an outward reflection of a very formalized mourning. Especially in contrast to the more subdued mourning practices that came into fashion with the start of World War I, scholarship on this topic has focused on the perception of this mourning being almost fanciful and overdramatized. The motivation for this specific type of mourning is one that has been frequently examined. Many have seen the large culture that surrounded bereavement in the nineteenth century as being very theatrical and thus allowing for an emotional output that people were not otherwise permitted. In actuality, this …show more content…
The rituals of mourning can be further examined through the material items utilized during bereavement, notably personal dress. Especially with England in the midst of movements of social mobility and urbanization, the increased creation and utilization of jewellery specific to mourning gives insight into the bereavement industry. With use in mourning wear, it was the locally sourced Whitby Jet jewellery that saw its height during the nineteenth century. More than just a reflection of the trends during the era, Whitby Jet emulated the rituals of mourning that are tied into larger changes being propelled by industrialisation and the upward mobility that it allowed