06/11/2025
THROW BACK THURSDAY
Old Traditions of Mourning vs. Today’s Celebrations of Life
Throughout history, the way we say goodbye to loved ones has changed greatly.
In generations past, mourning was a deeply symbolic and structured time. Families would wear black for months — sometimes even a full year — as a visible sign of their grief. Curtains were drawn, mirrors covered, and homes quieted as people honoured their loved one’s passing with solemn reflection. Funerals were moments of reverence and community support, guided by long-standing customs and shared beliefs about death and remembrance.
Today, while we still grieve deeply, we often choose to focus on celebrating a life rather than mourning a loss. Funerals and memorials have become opportunities to share stories, play favourite songs, and create personal tributes that reflect the personality, passions, and spirit of the person we’ve lost.
Neither way is right or wrong — both are ways of showing love, respect, and remembrance. Whether through traditional mourning or modern celebration, what remains constant is the human need to remember, to honour, and to heal.
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