Undertaking Gilded Age Grief

“She has great advantage over the man undertaker, who has vague and unsatisfactory ideas on ruching and borders, and doesn't know the fine distinctions in mourning etiquette between the suitable garb for maids and matrons, and is no use whatever in deciding which style in mourning bonnets is most becoming.” 

Buffalo is blessed with a “lady undertaker,” who takes charge of every detail of a funeral, embalming the body, draping the funeral apartments, furnishing the shroud and casket, chairs and carriages, arranging the flowers and purchasing the mourning outfit for the entire family. 

In the latter capacity she has great advantage over the man undertaker, who has vague and unsatisfactory ideas on ruching and borders, and doesn't know the fine distinctions in mourning etiquette between the suitable garb for maids and matrons, and is no use whatever in deciding which style in mourning bonnets is most becoming. 

Many people prefer to have this little woman attend women and children especially, and she is doing a thriving business, which she intends to supplement in the spring by a mourning millinery establishment, from which to supply promptly the requisite costume at short notice. 

St. Paul has a woman engaged successfully in this solemn business. Chicago has also one who has retired very wealthy, and Rochester boasts a woman who acts as assistant undertaker.– New York Sun, 1892

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia