Hosta

I bought a small sewing box at an auction inside was a small cardboard box of black pins and the box said bereavement pins. so I am assuming they have something to do with a funeral they were too small for hat pins only about an inch long. I am just curious about them as I haven't been able to find out hardly anything about them.

mmonohon

I have heard of them but have never seen any.

RevPam

It seems to be quite Irish, signifying, of course, that a person is still in mourning.

MCarleneM

I had never heard of bereavement pins either....looked it up on internet. There are several places to order such pins. Those that I looked at on internet were more like stickpens with wording about the reason for bereavement....lots of different ones.
I am guessing that the black straight pins were to pin a black piece of ribbon onto a lapel or collar during a mourning period or when attending a funeral. Interesting....I could be wrong. If anyone knows for sure, let us know.

hannajo

Are you able to post a pic of these? I'm intrigued.

ann clare

I have never heard of them.

carolaug

http://bereavementsupport.net/history.html

MCarleneM

Go to zazzle.com/bereavement+buttons

redkimba

Sounds like "mourning pins". If they are like sewing pins, you can use them to pin on a black veil.

http://www.thesilverneedle.net/gadge...79d6639a31479f
**about half-way down the page

Edit - this is a much better explanation: http://gothicteasociety.blogspot.com...ning-pins.html

In Victorian times it was considered socially disastrous to wear shiny faceted jewels or shiny metal during the year-long period of deep mourning as it was a sign of coming out of mourning too early. Matte black metal mourning straight pins such as these were used to hold veils and other clothing accessories in place during this period. Bright finishes were allowed to be used in the later stages of mourning, or half-mourning.

TootieAnn

Oh yes. They were popular in the South. I really don't know anything about them though. There's a website called Womenfolk.com that has links to historical sites (I think). They might have some information on the pins. If you find out anything, let me know. I'd be interested in knowing more about them. My first thought on the pins is that the custom of wearing bereavement pins in the US probably goes back to the Civil War. I believe it is more likely that your pins are from one of the World Wars. Either way though, I think you were fortunate to get the pins at auction like that. I think it's a great find. Do let me know if you find out anything. I think it's an interesting topic.