The Art of Dying

Death became a 'fashionable' thing in the 15th century. In the 18th century, this came back into light and was popularised again. It was known that in the early Victorian era, an ideal death for those around was to hopefully hear some last words from their loved one, therefore families would surround the dying person's bed and wait patiently in case they had any last words. For the dying, it was a battle to stay alive before death.

By the late Victorian era, this was changed and families hoped for a quick and painless death instead of a slow and dramatic death.

After a loved one dies, there would be a certain dress attire that most people would stick to. This was because of Queen Victoria's way of mourning over her husband, Albert. The dress code would change in time with how the griever was feeling about the death of a loved one. The fabrics and colours they wore would change over a period of an average two and a half years. For a lot of people, this meant wearing these outfits lasted for the rest of their lives as mortality rates were always rising.

'Male mourning attire was fairly simple: mourning coats early on in the period and black bands on their hats and black gloves later. Women’s mourning attire would often consist of a black crepe dress, complete with black caps and even black ribbons tied to the underwear. Later during a period of “half mourning” women would be permitted to wear purple or grey. In addition to this women were expected to be isolated in mourning. Where men might be able to work through their grief, women were expected to stay at home, with visitors only allowed after the mourning period was over.'

http://www.history.co.uk/study-topics/history-of-death/victorians-and-the-art-of-dying

As previously spoken about, death became a production called the 'Momento Mori', which consisted of objects created as a reminder of their loved ones. A few examples of this are locks of cut hair from the dead placed into lockets, death masks, paintings and sculptures.

Photographs were also taken of the dead, but perceived to look alive. A way in which they would do this is by propping the dead person up as though they were standing by themselves, or they even went to the extent of painting open eyes over the dead person's eyelids!