In many parts of the world, particularly in countries like China, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom, people pay for professional mourners to attend funerals and express grief for the deceased – even if they've never met them.
Professional mourners, also known as moirologists, are hired to attend funerals and add an emotional element to the proceedings. They're experts at weeping, wailing, and displaying visible signs of grief. The practice dates back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, where professional mourners were a key component of funeral rituals for the elite.
The job requires a unique set of skills. Professional mourners must be able to conjure genuine-looking tears on command, maintain convincing facial expressions of sorrow, and sometimes even faint or throw themselves on the ground in displays of extreme grief. In some cultures, they're also expected to deliver eloquent eulogies about the deceased, despite never having known them.
In Taiwan, professional mourners can earn substantial sums for their performances. A skilled mourner might charge anywhere from $50 to several hundred dollars per funeral, depending on the length and intensity of the performance required. Some specialize in particular types of grief – like the loss of a child or spouse – and can command premium rates for these specialized displays.
The profession isn't just about acting, however. Many professional mourners view their work as providing a valuable service by helping to create the proper atmosphere of grief and respect. In some cultures, a well-attended funeral with visible displays of mourning is considered essential for the deceased's journey to the afterlife.
Today, as traditional funeral customs evolve, the profession continues to adapt. In the UK, for example, companies now offer professional mourners who blend in with genuine funeral attendees, helping to bolster numbers at sparsely attended services. These modern mourners often create detailed backstories about their relationship with the deceased to maintain the illusion.
While the concept might seem unusual to some, professional mourning represents a fascinating intersection of cultural traditions, performance art, and emotional service work. For those with a talent for emotive expression and the ability to navigate sensitive situations, it remains a viable – if unconventional – career option in many parts of the world.