I probably read this book in the late 70's? All I really remember of the story was this young girl who wanted to grow up to be a professional mourner. In her world their religion revolved around mourning and being a professional mourner had levels to it like the catholic faith did. people lived insanely frugal lives to save for dramatic impressive funerals, I think....maybe at some point this girl was sold to the church to add to her fathers death dowry or whatever they called it. It also covered a lot of very intense ritualistic processes they followed with mourning.

I know, sounds really morbid but the author built a really fascinating alien world culture there.