Richwood West Virginia Post Mortem Baby In Coffin Colored Flowers 1907 Real Photo Postcard

Post-mortem photography, prevalent from the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, served as a crucial grieving ritual, particularly for infants and young children during periods of high mortality rates. These photographs offered families a tangible and often only visual remembrance of their deceased loved ones, capturing a final, idealized image before burial. The practice reflects a different cultural approach to death, where it was often a visible part of domestic life rather than solely relegated to professional funeral homes.

The creation of such images was deeply intertwined with Victorian-era sentiments surrounding death and mourning. Families would often pose the deceased in a lifelike manner, sometimes with open eyes (as seen here, possibly with supports or specific photographic techniques), or adorned with their best clothes and flowers. These memorial photographs became cherished family heirlooms, providing comfort and a lasting connection to those lost prematurely.