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Archiver > QUEBEC-RESEARCH > 2004-05 > 1086000339
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Subject: Excerpt Of History
Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 06:45:39 EDT
"A woman went into deep mourning immediately following a death and, except to
attend the funeral and church, did not leave the house for at least a month.
If she lost her husband, she might remain in deep mourning for two years, at
the loss of a parent or child required one year, grandparents, siblings and any
one else who left an inheritance got six months, and aunts, uncles, nieces,
and nephews, three months.
Black was the customary colour for a widow's mourning weeds during the first
year, with crape, serge, and alpaca the fabrics of choice. In the second year
she could lighten up a bit by switching to a glossy fabric such as silk in
shades of dark purple or gray. She also replaced her usual hat with a black
bonnet and was expected to wear a veil over her face during the first three months,
then trail it down the back of the bonnet for another nine months. Ornament
was out of the question while in deep mourning, but jet, woven hair, and other
mourning jewelry were worn when the appropriate amount of time had passed."
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