Funeral Service Practice Exam

What objects were given to mourners at American Colonial funerals?

1. Photos and letters

2. Gloves, rings, scarves

3. Flowers and candles

4. Books and blankets

The correct answer is: Gloves, rings, scarves

During American Colonial funerals, it was customary to give mourners gloves, rings, and scarves as tokens of respect and remembrance. Gloves were often provided to signify the mourning period and to maintain a sense of decorum among the attendees, while rings and scarves could symbolize the bond and love between the deceased and the mourners. These items served as personal mementos for the attendees, reflecting the somber nature of the occasion and the importance placed on honoring the deceased's memory. In contrast, while photos, letters, flowers, candles, books, and blankets may hold significance in various cultures or modern contexts, they were not typically associated with the funeral customs of the American Colonial period in the same way gloves, rings, and scarves were.