In Bill Bryson's "At Home: A Short History of Private Life," he explores the social customs and expectations surrounding mourning, particularly in cases where a husband has been widowed before. If a man's previous wife passed away and a close relative of hers died, the new wife was often expected to participate in a practice known as "complementary mourning." This meant that she would mourn on behalf of her husband's deceased former partner, reflecting a sense of duty and respect to the past relationship.

This expectation highlights the complexities of familial relationships and societal norms regarding grief. The notion of proxy mourning underscores how intertwined personal histories can influence current marriages, as spouses navigate their partners' pasts while forging their own paths together. Bryson's exploration of these traditions provides insight into the cultural expectations surrounding loss and remembrance in domestic life.