Post by Trog on Aug 21, 2005 17:58:06 GMT -5
My uncle died last week. I wasn't especially close to him, but I attended his wake tonight and will attend his requiem mass on Weds. I would like to know how funerals are conducted around the world and what is perhaps considered the most bizarre.
Being Catholic, there are similarities with all Europeans, I think, but with southern Europeans being somewhat more elaborate and less sombre than Protestant funerals - but I could be wrong.
I think our traditions back in Scotland, which are strongly influenced by Irish Catholicism, is that we bring the body of our loved one back home for three days. The body is prepared so that the casket will be open for people to visit and say their last goodbyes. This is especially therapeutic when the death is very sudden.
What may also seem strange is that whilst the body lies in state, often in a bedroom, we all kneel to recite the Rosary and then sandwiches, tea and alcoholic drinks are offered by the family. Family members that have not been seen in years can often turn up and it is one of the few times when the extended family gets together and reminisces about the deceased and our experiences of them, often exchanging amusing stories.
I'm not sure how an undertaker prepares a body to remain in state for people to see, but I saw my first deceased relative when I was six years old, having been lifted up over the coffin to say goodbye. The next year I saw another one and all the people I have seen have all looked very peaceful - until tonight.
People were visibly distressed by the way my uncle looked. He had decomposed to a point where some described his colour as being black. To me it was more purple. His face looked very swollen and people were upset, stating that it was not my uncle who was lying there. The decision was made to close the casket.
I'm very disturbed by it too, I can't get what was quite a haunting image out of my head - but I wonder just how bizarre is this funeral custom to other societies?
Being Catholic, there are similarities with all Europeans, I think, but with southern Europeans being somewhat more elaborate and less sombre than Protestant funerals - but I could be wrong.
I think our traditions back in Scotland, which are strongly influenced by Irish Catholicism, is that we bring the body of our loved one back home for three days. The body is prepared so that the casket will be open for people to visit and say their last goodbyes. This is especially therapeutic when the death is very sudden.
What may also seem strange is that whilst the body lies in state, often in a bedroom, we all kneel to recite the Rosary and then sandwiches, tea and alcoholic drinks are offered by the family. Family members that have not been seen in years can often turn up and it is one of the few times when the extended family gets together and reminisces about the deceased and our experiences of them, often exchanging amusing stories.
I'm not sure how an undertaker prepares a body to remain in state for people to see, but I saw my first deceased relative when I was six years old, having been lifted up over the coffin to say goodbye. The next year I saw another one and all the people I have seen have all looked very peaceful - until tonight.
People were visibly distressed by the way my uncle looked. He had decomposed to a point where some described his colour as being black. To me it was more purple. His face looked very swollen and people were upset, stating that it was not my uncle who was lying there. The decision was made to close the casket.
I'm very disturbed by it too, I can't get what was quite a haunting image out of my head - but I wonder just how bizarre is this funeral custom to other societies?
