Rituals related to mourning the dead in early 19th century America differ sharply by social class.
For the commoners, time could stop only momentarily to put a black ribbon on the front door, lay a casket out in the parlor, have the local preacher say a few prayers in the presence of family and friends, and collect a few remembrances such as a lock of hair or a prized possession. But for the survivors it was quickly back to work, mostly on farms.
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