MOURNING

I still miss my Grandma Henry. Still miss her smile and her brightly colored dresses with ornate necklaces that she wore on special occasions. I like that she would say things like, "He didn't take to the Cure." It made me realize that we don't mourn like past generations have. Maybe because of that our mourning is longer. Or maybe as fellow sojourners on this earth an outward show of mourning is never long enough for someone you have loved and loved you.

During the Regency period, mourning clothes and the observance of mourning a loved one was decided usually by one of the women in a wealthy family. 

Mourning for a husband by his wife was for a full year. She must not marry for a full year in the case that she was increasing with child, that child would inherit from his/her deceased father’s estate.

The widow would spend six months in deep mourning, the other six months in half mourning.

Full mourning she would wear all black of crepe (lightweight silk), bombazine (heavy silk), sarsnet, gossamer or velvet. (No fabric that had a sheen to it.). Black shawls, black gloves, a widow’s cap, or a crepe veil. Her jewelry would be jet black, black glass or amber colored. She would have no social activities. She was limited to visitors, walks in the park and church services.

Half-mourning she would be able to dress in somber hues including mauve, brown, lavender and violet. Her jewelry could be pearls, coral and amethyst. She could attend balls and social functions.

The widower was in mourning for a full year. However, if he had young children could marry another after a week. Men wore dark coats and pantaloons already so in order to dress in mourning the widower would wear a crepe band on his hat or a band on his arm below the elbow. He might don a black cravat, shirt or gloves.  

Relative                                    Mourning Period

Son/daughter                                   6 months-1year

Grandparent                                     6 months

Brother or sister                                3-6 months

Uncle or aunt                                     3 months

1st cousin                                          2-6 weeks

2^nd  cousin                                         1 week