Post-Mortem Photography: A Historical and Cultural Ritual of Grief ( Pt 4 )

To read Victorian Mourning and Post-Mortem Photography: A Cultural History Pt. 1 HERE

By Pale Angel

The Desire for Lasting Connection

I have always believed in the importance of preserving memories—of holding onto a tangible piece of those we have lost to feel closer to them. For me, that "piece" is often a photograph. When we look at modern society, there appears to be a greater detachment from the reality of death than in previous centuries. It raises an important question: Have we become more afraid of mortality than our ancestors were?

The Shift in Grieving Traditions

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly when this detachment began. Today, the grieving ritual often feels like a task to be completed as quickly as possible, frequently under the guise of "sparing the family further pain." Yet, for some, there is a deep-seated need to spend time with the deceased, offering a final, lingering goodbye to the physical presence of their loved one before the burial or cremation.

The Evolution of the Image

While I respect any family’s decision to commission post-mortem photography, I recognize that the practical necessity for it has diminished. The advent of the Kodak Brownie and subsequent portable cameras revolutionized how we record life. As photography became accessible and common, the "need" for a final portrait faded.

In the modern age, we often have thousands of digital images of our loved ones captured throughout their lives. Perhaps having such a vibrant record of their living years has made the post-mortem portrait feel unnecessary to most, shifting our focus from the moment of passing back to the journey of life.

The new favorite thing: Creating books

Do you ever feel like you just need to "unplug" from the digital world 

and actually create something? Guess what ?! Many people do !  

Since 2025 I have been listening and reading people's comments about 

how everything is automated, virtual and just not real. 

They are correct.

Years ago, when I was a kid, I used to draw (or how people put it on their LinkedIn CVs....design), cut and glue together my own notebooks, and I even made comic-style books. This month, I decided to create something that comes from my mind to reality. 

Setting up a manuscript isn't just about writing; it’s a battle against bleed, trim sizes, and gutters. One millimeter off, and your physical proof arrives with text disappearing into the spine or a mysterious white sliver on the cover. It’s a specialized skill that usually takes several "failed" uploads to master.

In 2026, there are over 44 million titles on Amazon. Writing the book is only 20% of the job; the other 80% is becoming a part-time data scientist. Finding the right keywords and categories that aren't over-saturated is a moving target that changes every week.

This collection of coloring books and notebooks, which I created on Amazon, was a perfect experiment for finding my creative flow. Yes, it takes a long while to figure out layouts, sizes, images, content,etc. But I did it.

Check them out and find the one that speaks to you:

Journey Through Bolivia

Experience the vibrant culture of South America without leaving your couch! From the iconic cable cars of La Paz to adorable llamas and traditional festivals, these books are perfect for kids and adults alike. Bolivia is such a wonderful country to visit; it truly feels like a "virgin land" with so much untouched beauty and hidden magic. I wanted to capture that raw, authentic spirit—from the high-altitude cable cars to the traditional llamas—so you can experience the culture for yourself.

• The Vibe: Educational, colorful, and adventurous.

• Perfect for: Travelers, students, and people who want to disconnect.

• Link: [See it here]

The Mystic Coloring Book

For those who find peace in the stars and the moonlight. This book is filled with celestial patterns, magical symbolism, and intricate designs that help you tap into your inner zen. I have always been drawn to mystical themes, and I noticed there aren't many coloring books that truly capture this specific, ethereal feeling. I wanted to fill that gap with something that helps you tap into your own inner magic and the energy of the moon.

• The Vibe: Witchy, soothing, and artistic.

• Perfect for: Late-night relaxation and fans of the esoteric.

• Link: [See this one here]

New York City Sketches

Bring the Big Apple to life with your own color palette. This minimalist, edgy style captures the energy of NYC—from the Statue of Liberty to the city streets. It doubles as a great notebook/sketchbook for urban dreamers.I have always been drawn to mystical themes, and I noticed there aren't many coloring books that truly capture this specific, ethereal feeling. I wanted to fill that gap with something that helps you tap into your own inner magic and the energy of the moon.

• The Vibe: Modern, minimalist, and cool.

• Perfect for: City dwellers and street-art fans.

• Link: [This one is here]

Discover the Magic of Bolivia: A Coloring Journey

Why just read about a country when you can bring its vibrant culture to life with your own hands? These books offer a fun, creative way to explore the heart of South America.The Vibe: Educational, joyful, and culturally rich. It captures everything from the high-altitude peaks of the Andes to the bustling city life of La Paz.

What’s Inside:

•  The Vibe: Educational, joyful, and culturally rich, this book invites you to "Meet this country's Culture, Food and Geography in a Fun Way!"
• Perfect for: Classrooms & Homeschooling,Travel Lovers,Curious Kids
• Link: [ Link Here]

Have you recently started other creative ventures ?

The Choice to Settle

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Throughout my life I had a few existential crises, the first one being about 11- 12, an overwhelming realization on my back patio. A thought came over me; what’s the point of life? What will happen when my parents die? What am I supposed to do with my life? It was the first time in my life I questioned if my path was predestined, or was I the architect of my own future?

By 15, I experienced a profound emotional low or depression. I felt a disconnect from the superficiality around me, realizing that many social bonds were built on appearance rather than character. It felt like a loss of innocence. I realized that people were appreciated for what they looked like and for what you could gain from their “ friendship” .Fortunately, my final years of high school brought enduring friendships, yet that "shadow" occasionally returned, leading me to question my place in this reality.

Image Credit: "mother holding her belly" by Sie7e Fotos. Licensing available via 500px.

As the years went by and moments in the black hole made me think a lot and notice how many people around me settle for many things in life and this is why everyone looked happy and fulfilled with their life . Women have to settle for many things and fast, for example, getting married to have a family and get pregnant, society always reminds us that the clock is ticking. 

We are often told to "never settle," but is that advice realistic? Choosing to settle can be a conscious trade-off for stability, mental health, or simplicity. This post examines the fine line between finding true contentment and simply stopping the pursuit, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to choose "enough" over "everything."

Today, I still face the temptation to choose the "standard" life. While I still live in the same town, and follow a routine like everyone else, I try to do it my way, with a purpose. I strive to act with intention. I refuse to simply "drift" through existence ( better now that never). If you must go with the flow for a time, don't fear it, just use that time to find the stream that truly belongs to you. People like us, always find a way. 

What have you settled for in life? What remains non-negotiable for you?

The Lobster

In a dystopian near future, single people, according to the laws of The City, are taken to The Hotel, where they are obliged to find a romantic partner in forty-five days or are transformed into beasts and sent off into The Woods. – Source: imdb

Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring  Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, and Léa Seydoux. This “Avant Garde” movie is set on a society where single people are not accepted, they are the outcasts. Society thinks single people should not exist, it is illegal and it’s even dangerous to be a single person.

The single individuals are taken to a hotel, where a set of rules are given to them; they only got 45 days to find a mate, otherwise they will be converted into animals (of their choice). This world, like any other society, have a group of outcast that are hidden from society and also very much organize too. I do not want to give more away. The movie is entertaining and very interesting, just the thought of a society like this one sounds crazy but …when you think about it, we live in a crazy society too.

When I saw The Lobster the first thought that came to my mind was: “The story in this movie is not so different from the real world” In today’s world you become an outcast in certain situations like: when you are single, when you don’t have kids, when you don’t have the ideal body type, when you have a certain look and so on and so forth. People judge us because of how we live and especially in traditional society (like mine) If you haven't achieve certain things by the time you turn 30, you are strange and even called unlucky (but that is a post for another night).

We do have love involved in the story and we see what one guy is capable to do to find the right mate or to keep it by his side. We are living in a decade (I dare to say) where everybody is obsessed to find love! Since we have the world in the palm of our hands ...or sometimes in our back pocket, we think it should be easier to find love but it is not. 

I do recommend this movie, it is one of those movies that are underrated and maybe it didn’t make it to your local movie theater but you have to find it and watch it.

I give it...Ten Pop Corns!

PS: Have a wonderful 2016 ! Please comment and share my posts if you like it!