I think that mourning (wearing black for a year, avoiding parties, dancing, music, etc.) is one of those traditions that just doesn’t fit into modern American life.
Mourning was often powered by the women of the family, because they determined the “social activities” of the family and children. Nowadays, so many women work, and many jobs would not allow a woman or man to wear deep black for a year. Also, at the workplac,e there is often music, a party for someone, food, etc., and to avoid these activities would be seen as “not being a team player.”
Also, children’s activities today are often of the team-type (sports, choirs, bands, clubs, scouting, etc.), and children can’t just “skip them” for a year. Schools, both private and public, have "happy’ activities. In many schools, children would not be allowed to wear black.
However, the wearing of deep black does continue in today’s culture–the “goths” wear black and glorify “death” in their lifestyles, music, etc.
It is my opinion that Christians in the year 2013 in the United States need to strike a balance between mourning and grieving for loved ones who have passed on, and not giving too much due and honor to “death.” We live in a “culture of death,” and we need to do what we can to be part of a “culture of life.” Our loved ones in Christ who have died have the hope of glory. Yes, we miss them (my dad died less than a year ago, and I miss him everyday), but as someone else said, life continues here on earth. We must live the life of Christ in front of others, and that means joy in the midst of our sorrow.
