"Mourners" or people that were professional "weepers" or "criers" were
trained from childhood to mourn (lamenting for hours). Weeping required
melodic but also piercing cries. Mourners were typically employed at
funerals, but at weddings too (the bride's future life might truly be
likened to death). Absence of morners at funerals or weddings might
well be viewed as shameful.
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