Sackcloth, a coarse, rough fabric typically made from goat's hair, was traditionally worn in ancient Israel as a symbol of mourning, repentance, and humility. Its use at funerals is well-documented in the Bible, where it served as an outward expression of inner grief and sorrow.

The practice of wearing sackcloth at funerals is rooted in the cultural and religious customs of the Israelites, who often used physical symbols to convey deep emotional and spiritual states. Sackcloth was not only uncomfortable but also visually stark, making it an effective representation of the mourner's distress and lamentation.

One of the earliest biblical references to wearing sackcloth in the context of mourning is found in the account of Jacob. Upon believing that his son Joseph had been killed, Jacob tore his garments and donned sackcloth as a sign of his profound grief. Genesis 37:34 states, "Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days."

Similarly, in 2 Samuel 3:31, David instructs Joab and all the people with him to tear their clothes and wear sackcloth as they mourn the death of Abner. This act of wearing sackcloth was a public demonstration of their sorrow and respect for the deceased.

The use of sackcloth at funerals is also evident in the prophetic literature. In Isaiah 15:3 , the prophet describes the Moabites' mourning rituals: "In their streets they wear sackcloth; on the rooftops and in the public squares they all wail, falling down weeping." This passage highlights the widespread and communal nature of mourning practices, where sackcloth was a common garment worn by many to express collective grief.

In the book of Lamentations, which is a poetic reflection on the destruction of Jerusalem, the imagery of sackcloth is used to convey the depth of the city's mourning. Lamentations 2:10 states, "The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have sprinkled dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground." Here, sackcloth is part of a broader set of mourning customs that include sitting in silence and sprinkling dust, all of which signify deep lamentation.

The wearing of sackcloth at funerals was not limited to the Israelites. It was a common practice in the ancient Near East, reflecting a shared cultural understanding of mourning. The physical discomfort of sackcloth served as a tangible reminder of the pain of loss, while its visual impact communicated the mourner's sorrow to the community.

In summary, the wearing of sackcloth at funerals in biblical times was a profound expression of mourning, symbolizing the wearer's grief and humility before God. It was a practice deeply embedded in the cultural and religious life of the Israelites, serving as a visible sign of their sorrow and a call to communal empathy and support.2 Samuel 3:31
And David said to Joab, and to all the people that were with him, Rend your clothes, and gird you with sackcloth, and mourn before Abner. And king David himself followed the bier.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... Now as others have had their funerals solemnized, according to their greatness and
grandeur in the world, so likewise Mr. Badman, forasmuch as he deserveth not ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

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