Black the in-colour when Victorians gave loved ones a good send off

SOME of the rules, rituals and symbolism used by the Victorians to demonstrate their mourning and how they reveal as much about people's lives as their deaths will be examined in a talk.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Jun 2010, 13:04 BST
Updated 15th Jun 2010, 13:05 BST

John Rumsby, former collections manager with Kirklees Museums and Galleries will speak about The Victorian Way of Death at Bagshaw Museum, Batley, on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm. "There was accepted etiquette for the middle classes, but the customs and rituals worked their way down the social classes and even poor people would 'beggar' themselves to give a good send-off," Mr Rumsby said.

He added: "One custom, dating from the Middle Ages, was to give gifts to mourners; depending on how rich you were, the gifts could be a ring or a pair of gloves or a special funeral biscuit or cake."

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There were strict dress codes – people had to dress in black and stay in mourning for some time. Widows were expected for the first year to stay indoors, accept no invitations, wear black and wear no jewellery.

In the second year they could wear lighter materials such as silk, but still in black, and they could start to wear black jewellery such as Whitby jet.

The talk is free but places must be booked in advance on 01924 326155.

Related topics:Batley