In Memoriam: Reflections on Victorian Burial Practices and Calamities with Sam Perrin

Today’s funerals are sombre affairs, but they can’t compare to funerals and mourning in the Victorian Age. The trend towards elaborate mourning customs gained prominence during the 19th Century (1837-1901), likely influenced by Queen Victoria's extended and highly publicised mourning for her cherished Prince Albert. This era saw the rise of intricate mourning protocols, characterised by extended periods of grief and elaborate rituals, accompanied by costly funerals and burials especially among the upper echelons of society. However, the opulence of these proceedings sometimes led to funerals going awry. Mishaps such as horse-drawn carriages faltering or inclement weather disrupting the planned processions were not uncommon. These unexpected incidents, though unfortunate, offered glimpses into the complexities of orchestrating such elaborate affairs and added an element of unpredictability to the otherwise meticulously choreographed events.

My Special Guest is Samantha Perrin  

Sam is a social historian of the long nineteenth century, focusing primarily on death practices and cemeteries from that period. She holds an MA in Victorian Studies from Birkbeck, University of London, and is currently researching Victorian burial reform and the funerals that go disastrously wrong. She has previously delivered talks to the LNCSS, National Archives, Museums Show-Off, Camden History Society, Wellcome Trust, Pride in STEM, Dickens Fellowship and Museum of London.

Burial Superstitions

In British culture, mourning and burial superstitions have long been woven into the fabric of traditions. It was once believed that placing a sprig of rosemary on a casket could grant peace to the departed soul. Mourners would also refrain from sweeping the floors during a funeral, as it was thought that this could sweep away the spirit of the deceased. Additionally, the tolling of bells at a funeral was not only a sign of respect but also a means to guide the departed's soul safely to the afterlife. These superstitions, while now less prominent, reflect the intricate tapestry of beliefs that once enveloped the process of bidding farewell to loved ones and to give them their 'good death.'

Funeral And Burial Industries

The birth of the funeral and burial industries in Britain heralded a transformation in how society approached the departure of loved ones. In the Victorian era, with its elaborate mourning rituals, a burgeoning industry emerged to cater to the demands of proper funerals. Funeral directors, often referred to as undertakers, began offering a range of services to assist families in their time of grief. Lavish caskets, horse-drawn hearses, and intricate floral arrangements became symbols of social status and respect for the deceased. Public cemeteries also came into prominence, replacing churchyards, and creating a new landscape for the departed. This industry evolution not only provided practical support but also reflected the evolving cultural perceptions of death and commemoration in British society.

In this episode, you will be able to: 

1. Uncover some of the accounts of funerals going wrong.

2. Explore some of the reasons why Victorian mourning holds such interest.

3. Explore some of the motivations for burial decorum and practice.

4. Examine the significance of 'ars moriendi' or the 'art of dying.'

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