Telling the Bees, 1879 Following a death, the list of duties seem endless. From booking the undertaker to choosing the coffin, plot or crematorium, the list of necessities seems endless. But of all of these commitments, the most important of them, the most integral of all, is telling the bees. It’s a matter of tradition, … Continue reading Telling the Bees!
Tag: Mourning
Window Shopping with Queen Victoria
Some of Queen Victoria’s mourning jewellery is going up for Auction on March 24th 2021 and if you can’t treat the catalogue as the ultimate window-shopping history lesson, then you’re missing a trick.
Mourning Gems: Hester Ann Barfield
A hair brooch, a name and a cross-continental journey. Hester Ann Barfield 1853-1856.
Hudds, Huds and Hudes: Graveside Shelters of Yesteryear
Shelters may seem to have been a rather excessive addition to the world of ecclesiastical furniture, after all; what’s a little rain between a vicar and a coffin?
Tudor Effigies and Memento Mori at Snarford
When visiting the church and circling these monuments, it seems a miracle there was ever any room for religious services...
Jay’s Mourning Warehouse
Due to the superstition of not holding mourning clothing in the household for longer than necessary, when a death occurred, you needed to act fast – places like Jay's catered to this on a massive scale.
Whitby Jet: What, Why and When?
With Halloween knocking on our door and Whitby goth events calling our name, many of our minds turn to jet, indulgent dark jewellery and the beauty of mourning wear. But, to appreciate jet, its place in fashion, mourning and gem appreciation, we really need to delve into its inky history. ‘Black, forsooth, coal-black as jet…’ … Continue reading Whitby Jet: What, Why and When?
In Praise of Death Stationery
Memorial cards were often one of the first indicators of grief and one of the last reminders...
The World of Victorian Grave Dolls
After experiencing the death of a loved one, our mourning practises may include collecting mementos...and a full-sized effigy of the deceased.
Burials & Beyond 