Castrum doloris

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Castrum doloris (Latin for Castle of pain) is a name for decorations accompanying the catafalque that increase the prestige of the funeral and signify the importance of the deceased. Castrum doloris would include the most common candles and flowers, and in special cases allegorical statues, coats of arms, epitaphs and baldachimes. Most extensive castrum doloris can be traced to the customs of 17th century and 18th century. A specific tradion in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was the coffin portrait (Polish: portret trumienny).