[Avodah] Tearing K'riah

[Cantor Wolberg]

"However, there was no keriyeh done. (We only realised this much later.)
I am wondering, did the rabbi simply forget or is this common with  
other irreligious aveilim?"

It is very likely that the aveil only wanted to tear a ribbon (which  
is a common C practice)
The rav would most likely not allow that and therefore opted not to.
The other possibility is that the keriah could have been done prior to  
when you came.
ri