The Creole Mourning Tour

Every October, St. Joseph Plantation hosts its annual Mourning Tour, which features burial customs and rituals of the 19th and 20th century Creole Louisiana. The house is dressed in full “deep mourning” according to the old prescribed protocols. 

In the 19th and 20th century, the creoles of Louisiana were predominantly of French, German, and Spanish descent. A great majority of these families were Roman Catholic, with parents and grandparents who settled in New Orleans and the surrounding areas of South Louisiana. Their religion was woven deeply inot the fabric of their daily lives. On Sundays, buggies were full of families making their way to the various Catholic Parish Churches to attend mass. Images of Jesus, Mary, St. Joseph and other Saints were as much apart of the decorations of these homes as the pictures of family members. A prie-dieu, or prayer bench, was visible in every bedroom. Rosaries, holy candles, and prayers in the morning, evening, and before meals constituted the patterns of daily life in these homes. In the city and on the plantation, these customs were devoutly followed. 

In death as in life, these catholic families of old Louisiana practiced customs and rituals that had been followed for generations by their ancestors. Of course, with the much shorter life expectancy of those days, family members were in mourning for a considerable amount of their lives. A widow would be in deep mourning for an entire year, which meant that black garments were required at all times. After the first six months, a black dress of a reflective nature could be worn. Children and the enslaved were also required to dress the part. 

Holy Days were tremendously important. La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day), on November 1st, was one of the most celebrated Holy Days of the year. Weeks before, family tombs were cleaned, repaired, and white-washed in preparation of this much anticipated annual event. On All Saints’ Day, whole families could be seen visiting their generational tombs. Families and friends visited with the livin and paid their respects to the departed. This custom, although modified somewhat by modern life, is still very strong in South Louisiana to this day.