Black Clothes for Mourning

I want to revive the custom of wearing black clothing while in mourning. There are so many benefits. First, people who I don’t feeling like telling about my loss would see my mourning clothes and already know. Second, When I’m juggling work and death-responsibilities, my co-workers might find some empathy. Or if I’m crying at my desk, for example, they won’t assume they are tears of anger and frustration about unrealistic workloads and deadlines. They’ll look in my office and keep going down the hall, murmuring, “Shhh…she’s in mourning. Don’t bother her about whose job it is to take old content off of the website…just figure it out.” And third, it could be a conversation starter in the elevator. “I see you’re in mourning. Immediate, maternal, or paternal?”

Even better would be to extend the mourning markers online.  Facebook would have a black border option to frame your profile picture.  Klout would grant a three month grace period before dropping your score.  Messenger would have an option to set your status to a black cube with the word “Mourning”.  Outlook would have a somber typeface for you to add “~in mourning” in your signature line. 

I go to work, I grocery shop, I spend time with people. But sometimes I don’t feel like going out with friends.  I’m too tired, or too sad, or need to spend time mailing death certificates and organizing tax documents.  It’s not going to be like this forever, and my personality hasn’t changed.  I’m in mourning.  And if I were wearing all black, I wouldn’t have to explain that to you.

4 months ago  /  1 note