The following text is comprised of an article, suitable to appear in many of the common ladies magazines of the late 19th Century ( ie - Harpers Bazar).

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The following text is comprised of an article, suitable to appear in many of the common ladies magazines of the late 19th Century ( ie – Harpers Bazar). Most of these magazines had a general readership of middle to upper class young women and served as another guide to the expectations of society. The purpose of this article is clear – to inform young women of this era with practical advice for the time, however ridiculous it may seem in this century.

Mourning and Funeral Etiquette

The loss of a loved one has significant impact on the lives of those the deceased has left behind. Not only does it signal the end of a dependable life, but also the commencement of a period of mourning for the widow/widower or servant of the household, where isolation from society is extremely important. The most difficult burden of mourning falls, as expected, on the widow. The entering of a widow into mourning is of high importance after the death of a cherished family member. It is with this in mind that we have compiled the following; a guide for young ladies on the proper etiquette for mourning the death of a loved one. This will not only help one to cope throughout this unspeakable ordeal, but also assist in the reinsertion of one back into society in the proper way, after such a dreadful incident.

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First and foremost – The more the heart aches, the more should one try to gain cheerfulness and composure. In other words, your appearance at this time is under careful scrutiny – any rash or uncalled for action may put your reputation in dire jeopardy. It is therefore important to remember that engaging in any activity that enables you to present a brighter demeanour – both for the memory of the deceased and the respect of society, should be pursued.

Consequently, it is necessary to establish some suitable practices in regards to visiting and dress, so that the ...

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