Abstract：The theme of mourning in Western life writings is rich in historical, cultural and literary meaning. This deserves academic attention. Different life writing forms – biography, autobiography and miscellaneous life writings provide different perspectives in describing mourning and demand close observation. All these works are linked with mourning since ancient time and deserve individual and careful consideration.

Key words：mourning; biography; autobiography; miscellaneous life writing

Tian Yan, a postgraduate student in Faculty of Liberal Arts and Communication of Ningbo University, majors in Western Literary Theory.

Yin Dexiang, a Professor of Liberal Arts and Communication at Ningbo University, is mainly engaged in the relationship of Chinese and Western cultures and life writing studies.