Death of a Young Child

bramley1

The 1894 sketch above is called For Such is the Kingdom by Frank Bramley and illustrates the custom of little children dressed in white walking in procession in front of a small white coffin containing a young person.  Often four young maidens, also dressed in white attire served as pall bearers for the departed child.  The custom of children wearing white to funerals continued well into the twentieth century.

 

One thought on “Death of a Young Child

  1. I love the Oak Grove Cemetery. A walk through this cemetery is like belonging to the past.
    I’ve learned something new again! White for a funeral? Little children involved in a funera? It is a somber picture. It’s as if I were there feeling their pain. . Thank you for sharing. Jane

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