Modern spiritualism, a religious movement that emerged in the 19th century, promised to bring the living and dead together in conversation through a medium. According to Arts + Culture – The Conversatio, this movement drew on spiritual communications referenced in the Old Testament and adapted them for those disillusioned with traditional faith by integrating mysticism and science. The movement gained appeal in Victorian Britain, where mourning periods were longer and more elaborate, and people sought ways to connect with the deceased.
The movement's core belief was that death was not the end, but rather a transition to the spiritual realm. In Victorian Britain, spiritualism became an appealing movement for those overwhelmed with grief, with new rituals and practices emerging, such as memento mori photographs. The movement was also influenced by Christianity and integrated elements of mysticism and science.
The emergence of spiritualism in the 19th century reflects the changing attitudes towards death and the afterlife during that time. This movement mattered because it provided an alternative to traditional religious beliefs and practices, offering a new way for people to cope with grief and understand the nature of death.