“Imagine a knock at the door, and when you answer, the caller hands you a package. It contains a package. It contains a wrapped packet of biscuits tied with a black ribbon. Instantly, you know there’s been a death, and this is your invitation to the funeral.”
While searching for cookies popular in the mid-to-late 19th century, for my September release, Caroline’s Challenge (Westward Home and Hearts), a link to funeral cookies popped up. Having never heard of this concept, my interest was piqued for two reasons. First, the topic sounded so unusual that I wondered if any readers of Petticoats & Pistols might have knowledge of it, and second, maybe I could use it for a scene in the book! And while it might appear a bit creepy at first, I came to understand that it was a way the family and mourners honored the deceased.
Funeral biscuits were part of the ritual of a funeral in the mid-to-late 19th century in the United Kingdom and America. These were not made at home, but by a confectioner, or baker, as this was considered a sign of status. They varied in size, shape, and consistency, but carried a message of mourning, honor, and remembrance. Between two and six biscuits were bundled in wax paper, sealed with black wax, and tied with black ribbon. Sometimes, this wrapping bore a design with the usual hearts, cupids, and (gasp!) skulls. At other times, the wrapper was the death notice of the deceased, a poem, or a Bible verse.
At the height of the Victorian Age — around the same time as the U.S. Civil War — the Victorian poetry on funeral biscuit wrappings was as maudlin and overwrought as the Victorian garden cemeteries to which the dead were dispatched.
While surviving recipes are rare, those that do exist suggest a sweet similar to shortbread or a molasses cookie. The shortbread style was often pressed into a wooden mold that bore a design such as an hourglass, heart, cross, or cupid.
The ingredients chosen for these biscuits were laden with symbolism. Anise, known for its soothing properties, was often included for its calming effect on the mourners. Caraway seeds, with their slightly bitter taste, symbolized the bitterness of loss. And a touch of rosewater added a delicate floral note, evoking memories of the departed.
Funeral biscuits were common among British and German Americans from Virginia to Pennsylvania, and some traditions even included the practice of consuming them with wine or spirits.
Sometimes, the biscuits were delivered to mourners in advance, acting as a death announcement and invitation to the funeral, similar to the opening quote above. Some were given out when people went to the house to pay their respects. One account from Montgomery County near Philadelphia stated that mourners going from the church to the graveyard would first stop by a young woman holding a tray of biscuits, and then again at a young man inviting them to sip on spirits, ending up with a mouthful of each. Other biscuits were handed out at the viewing, to be opened and eaten at home, with the printed wrapper as a memento, or mailed to those who couldn’t attend the funeral.
Prior to the oh-so-hygienic funeral homes of today, family members awaited burial in the home–in the parlor, if the house had such a room. (Author’s Note: My late mother-in-law owned a quintessential two-story Victorian house on Cape Cod with a wrap-around porch, a borning room upstairs, and a dying room downstairs, just inside the front door.)
In the end, Victorian Mourning Biscuits remind us that food has always played a role beyond nourishment. It has the power to connect us with our past, express our emotions, and provide comfort in times of sorrow. So, next time you enjoy a biscuit, take a moment to appreciate the rich history and heartfelt sentiments that can be woven into every bite.
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Here’s a sneak peek of my upcoming release, Caroline’s Challenge (Westward Home and Hearts Book #65)
“Next stop, Pine Ridge. Twenty minutes lay over only,” the conductor bellowed as he passed through the car.
Soon, the train began to slow, the brakes screeching in protest as Pine Ridge came into view. It was larger than Caroline had expected, a proper town rather than the cluster of rough buildings she’d imagined. A church steeple rose above the pines, and a main street lined with wooden buildings stretched to meet the horizon. In the distance, the mountains loomed with their peaks still capped with snow.
Caroline smoothed her hands down the front of her dress and collected her belongings with trembling hands as the comfortable routine of the journey came to an end and reality awaited her on the platform ahead. Jane Trahern had disembarked in North Platte, Nebraska, leaving her to face the final moment alone.
“Watch your step, ma’am,” the conductor advised, providing a wooden block for passengers to make the transition from the train to the platform. “I had the porter put your trunk near the ticket office. Enjoy your stay in Pine Ridge.”
The station was considerably smaller than Boston’s, but no less busy. Miners, cowboys, and farmers crowded the platform, calling out greetings and searching for familiar faces. Caroline scanned the crowd anxiously, looking for the face that matched the daguerreotype she held in her reticule. But as the minutes ticked by and the crowd dispersed, she saw no sign of James Murdock.
Ignoring the niggling panic running down her spine and the unexpected afternoon heat, Caroline made her way to the ticket office. The man behind the counter never looked up as his pencil scratched across the paper in front of him. Finally, she cleared her throat.
“Excuse me, sir. I’m looking for James Murdock. He was supposed to meet me here.”
The clerk stopped his scribbling long enough to look up. His expression shifted from annoyance to something uncomfortably close to pity. “Murdock? The mercantile owner?”
“Yes, we’ve been corresponding for some months regarding a matrimonial arrangement. ”Heat burned in her cheeks at the admission to a complete stranger.
The man cleared his throat, suddenly returning with great interest to his ledger. “Miss, perhaps you should speak with Sheriff Landers in the morning. I believe there’s been a situation with Mr. Murdock.”
Something in his tone made Caroline’s stomach lurch. As the other passengers found their parties and left, she remained on the platform watching her dream of a new life and family fade into nothingness. The weight of her decision to seek out Millie Crenshaw, to accept James Murdock’s proposal, and travel to Pine Creek pressed down on her shoulders like a millstone.
Her fingers found her cross, gripping it as if it were a lifeline, her lips moving in silent prayer. Though she had coins in her reticule, it certainly wasn’t enough for a return ticket, nor did she have any connections in Colorado.
She stepped off the platform onto the street, shading her eyes with one hand against the sun and dust motes swirling in the air. The main street of Pine Creek stretched out before her, a mixture of wooden boardwalks and false-fronted buildings that reached toward the wide Colorado sky. Women in practical dresses hurried about their errands while cowboys lounged outside the saloon, their spurs catching the late afternoon sun. Going up on her toes, she stretched her neck toward the horizon as if the movement might produce her intended groom.
As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in brilliant hues of purple and gold, Caroline returned to stand alone on the platform. She breathed deeply of the pine-scented air, straightened her spine as she had done so many times at St. Girard’s when facing challenging tasks. Whatever came next, she would confront it with courage and faith.
Little did she know that the Lord’s plan for her life was about to change in ways she could never have imagined.
Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Jo-Ann Roberts was fascinated by America’s Old West and always felt she was destined to travel on a wagon train following the Oregon Trail. With her love of history and reading, she began reading historical romance during high school and college. Victoria Holt, Jude Deveraux, and Roseanne Bittner were among her favorites. Influenced by her father, she fell in love with John Wayne, James Garner, and her all-time favorite, James Stewart and grew up watching Wagon Train, Bonanza and Rawhide.
A firm believer in HEA with a healthy dose of realism, Jo-Ann strives to give her readers a sweet historical romance while imparting carefully researched historical facts, personalities, and experiences relative to the time period. Her romances take her readers back to a simpler time to escape the stress of modern life by living in a small town where families and friends help one another find love and happiness.
When she isn’t creating believable plots and relatable heroes and heroines, Jo-Ann enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandson. She also enjoys baking, quilting and eating way too much chocolate.
After 38 years in public education in Connecticut and Maryland, she’s now calls North Carolina home.
I learned that the smell of snow is a sensory experience, unlike petrichor which is the scent of a chemical compound (geosmin).
So interesting, Denise! As a native New Englander, it was easy for me to “smell” snow. Thanks for sharing and stopping by P&P.
J.
I hadn’t realized there was a town named Pasadena in MD, my home state, till I read about this year’s “Made in Maryland Festival” on a MD author’s website. That’s where it’ll be held for 2025.
Welcome, Mary. We lived in Maryland for 15 years, so we often heard the town’s name on the news. Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing.
J.
I’m not sure how many people know about jackfruit. It is used in vegan recipes as a replacement for meat. I have eaten it in tacos. This morning, I saw a picture online of a piece of jackfruit that looked like a large, thick steak. The caption stated that it was the texture of steak and tasted like it.
Welcome, Bonnie. This is new to me and so interesting…a new form of protein. Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing.
J.
Bald eagles mate for life
Welcome. What an interesting fact! Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing.
J.
I did not learn this on the internet but in a book that I read. If you cut brownies with a plastic knife they come out cleaner. Do it all the time.
Welcome, Sharon. Yes! I learned this fact many years ago, but I’m not sure where I read or heard it. It really does work! Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing with us.
What a fascinating article. I had never heard of this before and even read it out loud to my hubby. He was just as surprised. We were also fascinated with the borning room and dying room. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Welcome, Barbara. I’m pleased you found the blog interesting. I didn’t mention this in the post, but when I went to Cape Cod with my boyfriend/husband, I slept in the dying room. I guess it wasn’t haunted since I’m still here to talk about it. Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing with us.
J.
Rather a minor fact, but box turtles have a limited range when traveling. So if you are driving a road and stop to move a turtle from the road to off into the side for safety., take it to the side of the road where it was heading. Don’t drive it a mile down a road to release it.
Welcome, Kate. Thanks for the tip. I’ll pass it along to my husband. That will be his job. Thank you for stopping by P&P and sharing this fun fact.
J.
Thank you for sharing. I suppose I just assumed that little cards were sent around like today. Your book looks fabulous. In one of my searches online, I learned about the many different presidents wives. So diverse and interesting.
Welcome, Lori. I also enjoy learning about different presidents and their wives, so diverse and interesting. Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing wit us.
J.
I usually don’t browse on the internet often, but I did read Abraham Lincoln did not have a deep voice. He had a higher pitch voice. Your book sound intriguing.
Welcome, Karijean. Oh, my goodness, I had no idea. Every movie I’ve seen depicts him as having a deep voice. So interesting! Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing with us.
J.
I love searching for recipes with a certain ingredient – using cabbage is a fun one to check out!
Welcome, Teresa. I also enjoy looking for new recipes. After 50+ years of cooking meals, I need all the help I can get. Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing with us.
J.
I’m always looking up something on the internet but I haven’t run into anything unusual or strange. I guess I need to look harder. lol
Welcome, Carrie. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s been said that much of the stuff on the Internet is usually one person’s opinion. Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing with us.
J.
In the 1970s, South Korea had real fashion police who would measure the length of women’s skirts and dresses, with fines or arrests possible for those deemed too short.
Welcome, Connie. What an interesting fact! Especially since the hemlines in the 1970s were quite short. Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing with us.
J.
I had never heard of this custom – very intriguing. I found out that Second Street is the most popular street name in the USA.
Welcome, Debra. Interesting fact. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
That was a neat tradition and new to me. Something surprising that I learned is that our tenth president, John Tyler who was born in 1790, had a grandson who just died two months ago.
Welcome, Rachel. What an interesting fact! I guess longevity runs in the Tyler family. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
Interesting post! Doing genealogy and reading more about WWII, I learned that in February 1942 major automotive manufacturer Ford ceased their non-military car and truck operations for several years. I remember stories from my parents and grandparents of no or limited autos, tires, and gasoline.
I have learned a great deal from research. The amount of certain vitamins should be taken and are beneficial versus overdoing it is wasteful and does not help.
Welcome, Anne. Good to know. Everything in moderation is a good rule to follow. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
I have done a lot of reading, and this is the first time hearing about mourning cookies. How interesting. I have studied wakes and bodies remaining at home for visitors to see as well as having photographs taken of the dead with and without living companions. The practice of braiding pieces of a dead one’s hair or hair of surviving members of a deceased family came to mind. I found out about the craft when going through articles for a novel. Our mourning traditions have changed in many ways, but grief is always a companion.
Welcome, Susan. I have heard of many of these mourning traditions. In fact, when my father passed away in 1956, I recall seeing photos from my grandparents’ living room where they had what resembled a funeral parlor. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
While browsing the internet I have come across various helpful ideas for homemaking and preserving foods.
How to keep them fresher in the fridge or freezer which is practical.
This is really interesting, Jo-Ann. I find it really strange that the British call cookies biscuits. When I think of biscuits, I think of a type of bread. It’s just what you’re accustomed to I think. But it always throws me as well as mourning rituals. I can’t wait to read your book.
Linda, I agree that it’s just what you are accustomed to. I had a very dear friend who was an English war bride. She explained that “cookie” comes from the Dutch word “koekjes” meaning “little cakes,” when they settled New Amsterdam, which later became New York when the British occupied the city. As a way to snub the British, folks kept on calling these little cakes cookies. I guess the name stuck! Thanks for commenting.
J.
I can’t think of anything in particular right now.
Welcome, Bridgette.
That’s fine, no worries. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
I love the cover of your new book. Having written in the series myself, it’s getting harder to find great cover models that haven’t been used.
Welcome, Janice.
Thanks for your kind words. I agree with you about the cover models. However, Marie Higgins did a great job finding the right model. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
I can’t think of anything right now. I love the book cover and the book sounds interesting.
Welcome, Linda. Thanks for your kind words about the book, and thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
Very interesting!
Welcome, Ginni. I’m pleased you enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
Sea otters link paws while sleeping to prevent drifting apart in the water.
Welcome, Colleen. What an interesting fact, I had no idea. Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing your comment.
J.
I realize that there is so much information on so many fascinating topics. How could I possibly read and learn about all these interesting subjects. But I do. Manya re about distant lands which give me the pertinent background I am seeking.
Good afternoon, your book sounds like a Great read and the cover is Beautiful!. This is so very interesting, Thank you for sharing this info, I had no idea. I have learned so many things in the internet and am still learning.
Welcome, Alicia. Thanks for the kind words. Learning something new every day is an admirable goal. Thanks for stopping by P&P and sharing your comments.
J.
I’ve never heard of these! I haven’t really found anything strange or unusual on the internet lately.
One of the strangest things I learned was that Abraham Lincoln’s son, Robert Todd Lincoln, was nearby for three president assassinations. Though he wasn’t at the theater when his father President Abraham Lincoln was shot, he was by his bedside when he died. Several years later, when Robert Todd Lincoln was the Secretary of War under President James A. Garfield, Lincoln was about forty feet away from President Garfield when he was shot by Charles Guiteau. In 1901, Lincoln and his family traveled to Buffalo, New York to visit the Pan-American Exposition, the same place where President William McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz. Lincoln and his family were approaching Buffalo via train when the shooting occurred. I remember reading that after McKinley died, he refused to meet another president, believing that he was cursed.
Welcome, Sabrina. What an interesting and unusual fact. I can imagine that after being in the proximity of three presidents’ assassinations, Robert felt as if he were a jinx. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
I learned that I had a DNA match with someone who is supposed to be a second cousin once removed. From what I understand, this person should be either the child or parent of a cousin. However, this person is also a first cousin to the children of both my sisters. Being a first cousin to my nieces and nephews makes me think this person should also be a niece/nephew. I’m not even sure what to think now.
Welcome, Rhonda. How exciting to find a relative on the Internet! If you locate him/her, I hope you get a chance to meet. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
My fun little tidbit started while reading Crystal Caudill’s book Counterfeit Truth. In one of the early chapters it made mention of “Peter the Mint Eagle” inside the Philadelphia Mint. Intrigued, I put a pause on reading the book to look it up online (apparently I couldn’t wait for the historical note at the end of the book). I found out that the Philadelphia Mint had an actual bald eagle named Peter who lived inside during the 1830s. He was let out at night to fly around the city, and during the day would stay inside. He became a sort of mascot to the men that worked at the mint. Unfortunately, his wing got caught in a machine one day and, though the employees tried to save him, Peter eventually succumbed to his injuries. The men at the mint had him taxidermied and displayed inside the Philadelphia Mint where he is still displayed to this day! Legend has it that Peter was used as the model on a few coins produced in the mid 1800s.
Welcome, Bridget. Oh, my goodness, what an interesting story. I had no idea the eagle on the coins was based on an actual eagle. What a fun fact!!! Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
The main thing I have learned is that if i do not set a time limit, i am on the internet all day long!
Welcome, Joye. I think we are all guilty of spending too, too much time on the internet. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
I learned that there are two animals that cannot walk backwards. The kangaroo and the emu.
Welcome, Jackie. A very interesting fact! I hope I’m on Jeopardy someday and that question pops up!!!! Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
Information about cellphones. I had to purchase a new one tonight. I have to admit, I do not know much. I wanted to make sure that it worked with my carrier. It is challenging with your carrier went out of business. I had to do a lot of investigating to find the carrier as well as find a phone that I could afford. Thank you for the opportunity. God bless you.
Welcome Debra. Technology, especially when buying a phone with all the bells and whistles, can be challenging at best. I hope you were successful in getting a new phone. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
What an interesting post. This is something I certainly had not heard of before. We also live in a victorian with a wrap around porch. There are the two rooms as you come in the front door. I would rather not think that they did have the funeral at the house, especially since we use one of those rooms as our bedroom. It would, however, explain the comments that the house has ghosts, some of which we have experienced.
I follow several history and archeology sites on facebook. Recently there was an article about a grave found in a bog in Europe. There was a rich trove of weapons and items of honor to a warrior. The shoulder was severely injured, all pointing to an experienced and good warrior. The surprise for many was that the skeleton was that of a woman. There are stories throughout history of women in combat and of some that were great warriors. The proof can be found, but still some men refuse to believe or acknowledge it is possible.
Welcome, Patricia. What a great fact! I suppose not much has changed since the Middle Ages in terms of men’s perceptions of women’s tenacity and courage. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
Something I learned that I found interesting was that during World War II, a Great Dane named Juliana was awarded the Blue Cross Medal. She extinguished an incendiary bomb by peeing on it! Go Juliana!
Welcome, Cherie! What a great, great fact! I take it from the name that the Great Dane was a female. Leave it to the female ingenuity to solve a problem!
Historical fiction is not considered historical fiction until 50 years I;the past
Welcome, Jcp. Very true. One of the requirements for historical authors is making sure we place our books at least fifty years in the past. Gosh, realizing this means anything before 1975 is historical makes me feel OLD! Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
It was a long tradition here in the South for the deceased to be brought to the home where friends could come and visit with the family and pay their respects. I don’t believe it is done much anymore, at least not around where we live. My dad was brought home after he passed away. It was what he wanted. That was in 1974. Friends and relative would sit up with the body all night. At the time I thought it made it harder on us but now I have mixed feelings about it. When you stand for hours in a receiving line at a funeral home or church it is very hard, especially as you get older. At home, you could slip off into another room and sit down, or lie down if you needed too. Friends brought food and stayed to serve the meal and clean up afterward. We didn’t have mourning biscuits though. That was a new one to me. I have learned lots of things I never knew from the Petticoats and Pistols emails. Thanks to all of you who do the research then share them with us.
Welcome, Sarah. Whether you receive family and friends at home or at a funeral parlor, it does wear down a loved one. I’m pleased that you enjoy learning through the research the Fillys provide for their readers. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
J.
You might be able to propagate orchids’s by dividing the plant, using keikis (baby plants), or propagating from a flower spike. I just bought a blue orchid from International Grand Market that is visiting Joensuu this week and wondered if it would be possible to propagate somehow -considering I manage to keep it alive.
Welcome, Minna. Admittedly, I don’t know anything about orchids, but it is an interesting fact. Besides, I have a brown thumb. I can’t grow anything inside the house…I even killed an air fern and all it needed was air. Thanks for stopping by P&P and commenting.
J.
Oh, I’ve managed to kill my share of plants. besides the orchid, I’m trying to increase the number of the mutant strawberry that appeared among our strawberry bushes. It has 2-3 layers of flower petals. At first mom wondered “where did this rose appear among the strawberry bushes?”, until she realized it was a new strawberry bush. That’s why we call it “rose strawberry”.