Victorian Funeral Practices

THE ANDREW LOWE HOUSE AND VICTORIAN FUNERAL CUSTOMS

The Victorians are known for their fascination with death. During the Victorian era (1837-1901) they took death very seriously, no expense was spared when arranging a proper funeral. During this time most American’s lives became restricted to the family. As the emotional focus of people narrowed to the immediate family, the significance of the final act expanded.

We will take a closer look at Victorian funeral practices by focusing on one home and the death of Andrew Lowe in 1886.

The Andrew Lowe house was designed by architect John Norris in 1847. It is a three story building in the Italianate style with brick over stucco, cast iron balconies and a fairly rigid floor plan. It has a classical entrance with massive doors.

The first story is set below street level. The family dining room, kitchen, pantry and servants room were placed on this floor. The second floor was the principal floor of the home. There were parlors, dining room, library and butlers pantry. The top floor had five bedrooms and a bathing room. Wide halls extended the length of each floor and a stairway joined the parlor and bedroom floors.

Andrew Lowe bought the land and started building in 1847. While the house was under construction Andrew Lowe’s wife, Sarah Hunter Lowe and four year old son died. He moved into the house with his two young daughters. He remarried Mary Couper Stiles five years later and had three more daughters and a son and heir, William Mackay Low who would marry Juliette Gordon six months after Andrew Lowe’s death in 1886.

Though we do not have many facts about his death or funeral we can conjecture what may have taken place by looking at the common rituals and practices at the time. I could find no record of cause of death, if he was ill the setting for death was at home, in bed. Each family member would be called to the bedside to be given advice, farewell and blessing.

When his death occurred telegrams would be sent and notices published in the newspaper. If a notice was by letter, the stationary would be bordered in black. Formal funeral invitations may have been sent out and attendance was expected.

The house would be decorated throughout in black crepe. The front door crepe would be tied with a black ribbon. All doorways and mantles on the primary floor of the home would be in black crepe and the mirrors would be covered. It was believed that if a mourner saw their reflection, they would be the next to die. The clocks were stopped at the time of death and usually the piano was closed. By the 1880s mourners were sending flowers to the home.

The undertaker would prepare the body and it would be laid out in the front parlor. The deceased would be dressed in his finest clothes. It was necessary for some family members or close friends to sit up overnight with the body. This was the “wake”. It made certain no animals disturbed the body and helped to confirm that the corpse was really dead and not just in a comatose state.

Some Victorians were fearful of being buried alive, special caskets were made with built-in alarms. If they did wake up to find themselves buried alive they would be able to trip a mechanism to send a signal.

A feast would be held at the home either before or after the funeral. Distant relatives and friends would attend. Every aspect of the burial process would be embellished. The funeral service would take place in the parlor. There may have been a postmortem photograph of Low or a wreath of his hair on display. There was a popularity at the time for Memento Mori (remember death). Post mortem photographs, death masks and jewelry made from the deceased hair all fall into this category. It is most often associated with the death of children.