Curtains open or closed.

[lesley1]

My daughter has asked me why did they close the curtains when people died in the olden days. I assumed it was out of respect ,the mirror's were covered as well, I assume it was because in those days the family were laid out at home.
I remember being sent with my Mum's best white table cloth to my auntie's, I must of been
all of eight years old. My auntie thanked me and gave me a sixpence she said come and say hello to your uncle Herbert.. Oh my God nobody thought to tell me Herbert had died and that
the table cloth was to lay him out.
Needless to say I said no thanks and let myself out the back door and ran like the wind all the way home..

[GeorgePorgie]

Closed curtains: to keepout daylight and also a mark of respect ie Coffin in view from passer bys.
Mirrors covered or removed:there was a lot of superstitions in Viccy times ie if you seen yourself in the mirror in the same room as the deceased,you would be next in line to die or shortly aftewards.

The Victorians had a lot superstitions associated with death. When there was a corpse in the house you had to cover all the mirrors," it was believed that mirrors reflected your soul and at death the soul of the loved one was near so many ominous things could happen:

The same applied to stopping clocks also,this was another superstition.

[Oudeis]

http://www.victoriana.com/VictorianPeriod/mourning.htm

[GeorgePorgie]

That doesn't give the reasons outlined though,Oudi.

Basically the Vics were a rumlot and went overboad with such superstions...heck they would even sit alongside their deceased and get them propped up for the photograph before the church service.

[Oudeis]

Alas George where will it end...

http://www.corsinet.com/trivia/scary2.html

[stings]

I remember the neighbours closed there curtains out of respect? I did it only last month for a neighbour?

[GeorgePorgie]

I remember the neighbours closed there curtains out of respect? I did it only last month for a neighbour?

Ar ay,you're to funny,I can comment on this but eveyone closes their curtains out of respect. :)

[stings]

You are wrong again m8, LOL, the young ones DON'T, LOL.

[wsteve55]

My daughter has asked me why did they close the curtains when people died in the olden days. I assumed it was out of respect ,the mirror's were covered as well, I assume it was because in those days the family were laid out at home.
I remember being sent with my Mum's best white table cloth to my auntie's, I must of been
all of eight years old. My auntie thanked me and gave me a sixpence she said come and say hello to your uncle Herbert.. Oh my God nobody thought to tell me Herbert had died and that
the table cloth was to lay him out.
Needless to say I said no thanks and let myself out the back door and ran like the wind all the way home..

Ha,ha, I had a similar experience,and like you,made a sharp exit! Welcome to Yo!:nod: