The style of photography stayed consistent throughout the time period, with the photographer making the deceased look as if they are just sleeping, and keeping the tell-tale signs of death away. For example, coffins were rarely included within a shot, and the bodies were instead posed on couches or beds. Living family members were also known to be photographed with their loved ones. As the majority of these images were of children, that single image was often the only one the family would have of that child.

Although our attitudes to death have changed throughout the years, this style of photography is not something that is widely done anymore. I did however find one group of photographers who still practise it. “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep” are a group who offer a free infant bereavement service through the art of photography. This was the only type of post-mortem photography that I found that is used today in the same way the 19th century used it.

Today however, photographing the deceased is also used within other professions. With the likes of forensics and medical photographers, the nature of their work may be very different but photographing the dead is something that is done on a regular basis. Corpses are also found within the art world today. With people such as Andres Serrano, the controversial photographer who brought us “Piss Christ”, he also did a series of morgue shots. The style of these images are the very opposite to what the previous photographers I’ve just looked at wanted to capture in their images. Serrano’s pictures make it obvious that the person is dead, and focuses mainly on the causes of death and even includes it in the titles for each of his works.