Memento Mori

Remembrance & Post Mortem Portraitures

During Victorian and Edwardian times, people placed high sentimental value on Funeral and Remembrance Cabinet Cards as well as Mourning Portraits and Post Mortem Portraitures.  These final photographs date from the 1840's through the early 1900's and are both rare and poignant.  Often families could not afford formal portraits and knowing this would be their last opportunity, they opted for the post mortem.  It was also not uncommon for people to have a professional mourning portrait taken following the death of a loved one.  In this way they captured their own grief as a commemorative for the deceased.   These portraits, funeral cards and photographs were often placed lovingly inside a family photo album or framed and displayed openly on a side table or mantle as a token of respect to their loved one.  Once sentimental Victorian customs are now rare, collectible and hauntingly beautiful, Memento Mori.

Haunting Post Mortem Photo in folding envelope case, deceased masculine woman in open casket,   6 1/2" x 4 1/4" - $58 - includes U.S. shipping

Detail  of her face

Elaborate Memorial Funeral Card with woman's photo and floral wreaths and cross - $25 - includes U.S. shipping 

This little framed photo is dated 1916 and is of Great Grandma Mary Louise Lasson.  She walked from the Atlantic Coast to Illinois after getting married in Sweden. 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" in vintage standing metal frame under glass  $49 - includes U.S. shipping