4 creepy Victorian mourning rituals

The Daughters of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria in mourning for their father, 1861. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

When her beloved husband Albert died suddenly in 1861, Queen Victoria spiralled into a deep depression, secluding herself for years, and mourning him by wearing black for the rest of her life. She had statues made of him, displayed his mementos, and instructed her servants to continue upkeep in his room. Before long, public displays of mourning and elaborate rituals captured the public imagination. Here are four of the creepiest practices of the Victorian era.

1. Post-mortem photography