29/01/2026
What’s a Funeral Mute?
Funeral mutes were professional mourners hired to attend funerals, standing solemnly and accompanying the coffin to add dignity and gravity to the proceedings.
The practice of hiring mutes became popular in Victorian Britain, though it had earlier origins, possibly dating back to Roman times when bodyguards or attendants were assigned to protect prominent citizens. By the 1600s, mutes were common at upper-class funerals, and by the 1700s, they appeared even at modest funerals. Their role gradually declined by the late 19th century due to their reputation for appearing drunk or comical, which undermined the solemnity of the funeral.
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