What was the primary purpose of professional mourners in ancient funerals?

The primary purpose of professional mourners in ancient funerals was to express grief visibly. These individuals played a significant role in the mourning process by enhancing the emotional atmosphere of the funeral. Their ostentatious displays of sorrow, such as weeping, wailing, and other forms of lamentation, were believed to not only honor the deceased but also provide comfort to the bereaved family and community by fostering a shared experience of loss.

This practice was particularly important in many cultures where the collective expression of grief was seen as essential to the proper observance of social and religious customs surrounding death. Professional mourners, by visibly demonstrating their grief, helped to set the tone for the funeral and ensured that the mourning rituals were carried out with the appropriate emotional weight. Their presence could also reflect the status of the deceased or their family within the community, as the use of professional mourners was often associated with higher social classes.

In contrast, preparing the body, leading processions, and managing burial logistics, although necessary components of funeral services, did not capture the unique role of professional mourners in expressing grief on behalf of the community or the family.