Survivors disguised themselves in mourning costumes to deceive ghosts and show respect for the dead. [1] Jesus found flute players at Jairus's house playing for the mourners, who did not believe his words about the damsel not being dead. [2] Long and frequent periods of mourning inactivity were a great obstacle to civilization’s advancement, wasted on rituals rooted in fear, not sorrow. [3] Jesus resented forced outward exhibitions of mourning, as he was perturbed by the contention between true love and false show of affection. [4] Those who mourn with tenderness shall find comfort and true happiness. [5]
Professional mourners were hired for funeral occasions in ancient times, indicating that mourning was a ritual rooted in fear rather than genuine sorrow. [6]
Prolonged mourning for ancient widows was a feared and tragic fate, often leading to blame, death, or suicide due to unbearable social restrictions and disapproval of remarriage. [7] Self-torture was a common form of mourning, believed to please ghosts lurking before departure to deadland. [8]