Who We Are: Katherine

October 31, 2021

The Mourning Society wouldn’t be anything if it weren’t for an amazing group of volunteers that make our events so special. We’ll be shining a spotlight on our members throughout the 2021 fall season.

You still have a chance to come out and meet us in person this year at A Haunted Christmas at the Bissell House on December 4.

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

Edna and I started out in 2005 planning a mourning themed event at the DeMenil Mansion. In 2015, along with John Avery, we ventured out on our own as The Mourning Society of St Louis and had our first funeral reenactment at Bellefontaine Cemetery.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

I help plan events, research topics we are going to cover, field questions from the public and the press, recruit and train new members and manage all of our social media accounts. I also participate in events as a reenactor and presenter.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

That’s a hard one because all of them stand out as unique in one way or another, but if I have to choose it would be Consolations of Memory. It was our first event working together as a group and it’s such a moving experience being there in the cemetery during the funeral and burial procession reenactment. There’s nothing else like it.

💀 What is your favorite topic that we cover at events?

My favorite topics are the two I speak about at events the most: hairwork / mourning jewelry and post-mortem photography.

Who We Are: John

October 15, 2021

You still have two chances to come out and meet us in person this year at these upcoming events : Twilight Tours at the Campbell House on October 29 and A Haunted Christmas at the Bissell House on December 4.

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

John is a founding member of the Mourning Society of St. Louis. He had done events with Katherine and Edna at another location for 10 years, then moved with the group to Bellefontaine Cemetery and formed the Mourning Society 6 years ago.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

John is officially “The Undertaker” of the group. He also helps plan the events, and is the group advisor on all things funerary, serving as a font of information regarding all details of 19th century funerals, from the eulogy to the graveside service and all points in between.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

John’s favorite event is Consolations of Memory at Bellefontaine Cemetery because it spotlights the Victorian experience of death, mourning, and burial in a way that is unique as compared to how other October events are done. He appreciates the opportunity our group has to be able to reenact this experience in the beautiful surroundings of Bellefontaine Cemetery.

💀 What is your favorite topic that we cover at events?

John’s favorite topic is infant burial. This was his forte’ during his years of working as a Funeral Director at Shrader Funeral Home, where he helped many grieving families begin their painful journey after the loss of a baby or child, drawing a sort of kinship with families of the 19th century where the loss of babies and children was so prevalent.

Who We Are: Tracy

October 12, 2021

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

I have been a member for approximately 5 years. I had read about an event they were hosting at Bellefontaine Cemetery, which I was really excited to attend! I showed up in a dress close to the 1910/teens era, and a parasol. I was asked if I would like to join. And of course, I did.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

I portray a Suffragist. My first time was at the Golden Lane event in downtown St. Louis, and most recently, at the St.Charles Missouri Bi Centennial in Frontier Park. I feel that learning about the Suffragist Movement is so important today- for people to know and appreciate what the women in their family, only a few generations ago, must have gone through. The right of women to vote was hard won.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

It is a tough call, but personally, I love the Christmas Ghost Stories at the Bissell House. It's a lovely house, and it's so fun to go room to room with a different story to hear. It's so unique to hear ghost stories around Christmas time- I appreciate these sort of lost traditions from the past.

💀 What is your favorite topic that we cover at events?

Besides the Suffragist Movement, I must say, Epidemics. It is a subject that will make you appreciate modern sanitation and science like you never expected to.

Who We Are: Janis

October 8, 2021

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

I’m not really sure what year I started. It was at DeMenil and I presented on post mortem photography. Kevin O’Neill was with DeMenil. Carol from Kirkwood was in the parlor with all of her Victorian finery. Lol. Had to be after 2003 but right before I was in mortuary science school in 2006.

I got started because Kevin O’Neill thought it was my cup of tea and told you and Edna about me

💀 What role do you play in the group?

My role is usually that of historic disease tales but I did speak on post mortem photos, cemetery iconography, and traditions in funeral service then vs now.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

Bellefontaine is my favorite event. It’s the best setting for Victorian Mourning.

💀 What is your favorite topic that we cover at events?

I find all of our topics fascinating! You do a tremendous job setting up and creating this event. There are always very inquisitive attendees.

Who We Are: Dan

October 5, 2021

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis, and how did you get started

Associated since 2016.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

Organizer at BCA and aid in other events when possible like Campbell House.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

Anything at BCA, but I am biased😉

💀 What is your favorite topic?

Customs of the era. I think Historical Context is an essential teaching aid. To understand customs today, we need a better understanding of the past.

Who We Are: Heather

September 28, 2021

You still have three chances to come out and meet us in person this year at these upcoming events : Twilight Tours at the Campbell House on October 29, and A Haunted Christmas at the Bissell House on December 4.

Tickets for Twilight Tours at the Campbell House are available for purchase!

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started

Since the beginning...not sure when that was?? Got started when the craft group morphed into the Mourning Society!

💀 What role do you play in the group?

Costumed interpretive programs; costumed ambiance person; tours of upstairs at Bissell; designed the DNC tableau; props/decorations; assisting with event check in; selling sweet pin merch

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

Probably the October mourning event, but I did love the Decoration Day event portraying WWI

💀 What is your favorite topic?

Weird St. Louis events

Who We Are: Jennifer

September 24, 2021

You still have three chances to come out and meet us in person this year at these upcoming events : Consolations of Memory at Bellefontaine Cemetery on October 2, Twilight Tours at the Campbell House on October 29, and A Haunted Christmas at the Bissell House on December 4.

Registration is now open for Consolations of Memory at Bellefontaine Cemetery on October 2 and tickets for Twilight Tours at the Campbell House are available for purchase!

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

I met a founder through a friend and when she told me about what she did, I was instantly fascinated. I got started when the group was still at the Chatillon-DeMenil mansion. When they migrated to collaborate with Bellefontaine Cemetery, I followed.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

In the past I've been in costume and talked about a topic but lately I've been an event photographer.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

Consolations of Memory ever October but the Women's Suffrage events are delightful, too!

💀 What is your favorite topic that we cover at events?

I dig a variety of topics! Tombstone iconography, post-mortem photography, and momento-mori, to name a few. Another topic of great importance I love to hear about are the voices of black figures and their contributions.

Who We Are: Jeanne

September 21, 2021

Registration is now open for Consolations of Memory at Bellefontaine Cemetery on October 2 and tickets for Twilight Tours at the Campbell House are available for purchase!

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

I believe I joined in 2014. I used to attend craft night at DeMenil Mansion, where I met Katherine, Edna, and Lynn. As I dabbled in living history and sewing, I decided the events sounded like good fun and made a dress. My first event was Mourning at DeMenil.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

I am usually a set decoration in a big floofy dress and group guide, though I appreciate opportunities to do more when needed. I participate in our Women's Suffrage sub-group, too.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

I haven't found my favorite yet, as they are all good in different ways.

💀 What is your favorite topic ?

I like relating societal events of the past by discussing or sharing with people how women and others related to one another, the challenges they navigated, and the small moments that had a profound impact on a person or family's life.

Who We Are: John

September 18, 2021

Registration is now open for Consolations of Memory at Bellefontaine Cemetery on October 2 and tickets for Twilight Tours at the Campbell House are available for purchase!

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

I have been a member for 7 or 8 years now. I meet Edna at the Bastille Day event at DeMenil House. I have been an actor and reenactor for many years. The Victorian age has always fascinated me.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

I am " the widower."

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

Favorite event is at Bellefontaine. I love the atmosphere of the cemetery. I need to spend more time there, appropriately dressed of course.

💀 What is your favorite topic?

Hard to say. I can't really pick just one.

Who We Are: Ginger

September 15, 2021

Registration is now open for Consolations of Memory at Bellefontaine Cemetery on October 2 and tickets for Twilight Tours at the Campbell House are available for purchase!

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

I have been a member since 2014. After several years of attending the events as a guest, I was invited to bring my hearse and park curbside for an event. Not long after I arrived, one of the participants had to leave and I was asked to take her place, so I spent the rest of the day happily talking to the public about arsenic poisoning! I've been hooked ever since.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

I have filled several roles within the group. Tour guide, mourner, presenter. Aside from arsenic poisoning, event topics have included dysentery, consumption, infant mortality, and medical quackery.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

My favorite will always be the annual Consolations of Memory. It was my first experience with the Society and I love spending the day in beautiful Bellefontaine Cemetery while wearing my Victorian-era dresses. It really feels like we've stepped through a portal to the past.

💀 What is your favorite topic?

I have enjoyed so many of our topics but my favorites are any of the mourning customs and spiritualism. The year when we had one of our suffrage events and a little girl was asking for our "autographs" as suffragists was really memorable and fun.

Who We Are: Tom

September 11, 2021

Registration is now open for Consolations of Memory at Bellefontaine Cemetery on October 2

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

I’m not sure😅 I think 4; maybe 5 years?? I was first made aware of the MS when they started having conversations with Bellefontaine Cemetery (where I was volunteering as a Master Guide) about a new home for their programming. They needed pall bearers (which is often the case LOL), so I said ‘sure’ and figured out really quick that I was hooked.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

Usually the ‘pastor’ for our funeral re-enactments, but I’ve also been a pall bearer and assistant of sorts helping with program details.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

I’d have to say ‘Consolations of Memory’. It’s a full day of re-enacting and putting the ‘fun’ in funeral. LOL

💀 What is your favorite topic?

That’s a hard one, but I’ll say sharing the details of the formal clothing customs.

Who We Are: Angie

September 8, 2021

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society of St Louis and how did you get started?

I’ve been helping the Mourning Society for four years now. When they found out I volunteered at Bellefontaine Cemetery and owned horses, they asked me to help work horses into their events to add to the historic context of life in the Victorian era. Of course, I was thrilled to be asked!

💀 What role do you play in the group?

I get the honor of driving horses as a cemetery visitor during the annual Consolations of Memory event at Bellefontaine Cemetery. In 2019, I drove my friend’s mini horse, Trouble. I’m looking forward to driving my own horse, Axel, this year.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

Consolations of Memory, of course. :)

💀 What is your favorite topic?

Um, all of it, really. All of the research and attention to detail the group does to ensure historical accuracy is amazing. If I really had to chose, it’s probably seeing the members personal collections of mourning items, especially the hair work.

Who We Are: Sherri

September 3, 2021

If you are interested in joining the Mourning Society of St. Louis, you can find out more by clicking here or sending us a message.

💀 How long have you been a member of the Mourning Society and how did you get started?

I have been a member of the Mourning Society since 2016 so for about 5 years now - I got started by attending your first Mourning and Consolations event at Bellefontaine Cemetery in 2015. I was looking for a Cemetery tour because it was October and wanted to find something a little creepy to do. I googled and found your tour and signed myself and some friends up. I had been involved in reenacting in the past and thought this would be interesting.

I attended and was blown away by the detail in the presentations and how inviting everyone was! I was enthralled by the sheer spectacle of it all. They even had a Victorian hearse!

I have always been drawn to the slightly creepy and macabre aspect of history and thought "THESE ARE MY PEOPLE!" and joined through their web site and have had a wonderful time in this amazing group ! and am lucky to count Kathrine, Edna and Tom as friends.

💀 What role do you play in the group?

I research and give presentations on historical figures and events in historically accurate ( as possible ) costume. I do sew my own fashions.

💀 What is your favorite Mourning Society event?

I would have to say it is the Consolations of Memory event at Bellefontaine Cemetery. I am always amazed at the historical wealth and treasure to draw from there! I love being able to bring light to these surprising and sometimes scandalous stories.

💀 What is your favorite topic?

I would have to say the suffrage movement. I think it is so important for people realize what this hard fought battle was all about. ! It was barely even mentioned in schooling . The more their history is told the more people will understand how all of us should be grateful for their courage and determination.