Funeral Traditions/Customs

[minkydog]

I"ve not seen dancing and carrying on at the gravesite, but we had a big party back at the house when my dad died(it was less than a mile from the cemetary.) We had BBQ, beer and pony rides My Dad would have loved it, but his GF was horrified. I'm sure she thought we were a bunch of uncultured heathens.

 

[tvguy]

I"ve not seen dancing and carrying on at the gravesite, but we had a big party back at the house when my dad died(it was less than a mile from the cemetary.) We had BBQ, beer and pony rides My Dad would have loved it, but his GF was horrified. I'm sure she thought we were a bunch of uncultured heathens.

Yup, been to a few of those "have one last beer with Hal" events.
We had a celebration of life for my MIL, no casket or urn there, just family pictures of important events in her life. Held it at the bar where she met her husband.
Now, my FIL, his wife, who is WONDERFUL, was much more traditional. Viewing.....open casket (DW and I didn't want our kids to see Grandpa like that). Although I think my FIL probably would have preferred a celebration of life!
I think the only tradition I could not be a part of is where there is a public viewing of the cremation.....ewwwwwww. One funeral home here specialzes in those, the back of the crematory has a viewing area.

 

[aprilvaca04]

This weekend I have to go to a funeral. The person is being cremated and they are having calling hours at the funeral home for a few hours and then they are having a "celebration of life" back at their home that will include balloons, music and stories. He had been sick for sometime and this was his wish. Without sounding cold, I am looking forward to seeing his family smile again, his illness has been understandably tough on them.

 

[minkydog]

I think the only tradition I could not be a part of is where there is a public viewing of the cremation.....ewwwwwww. One funeral home here specialzes in those, the back of the crematory has a viewing area.

Gack! I think I just threw up in my mouth

 

[mamo-4-wdw]

I have never been to a funeral where they played loud music or danced.
When my DS28 died in July it was a holiday and no flower shop in town had fresh flowers so my friend got 28 ballons and we released them at the grave site.
I took two pictures of my son in the casket so I could remember all the details,time and stress makes me forget some things.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I think the only tradition I could not be a part of is where there is a public viewing of the cremation.....ewwwwwww. One funeral home here specialzes in those, the back of the crematory has a viewing area.

I would have wanted a viewing cremation for my gran. She died heavily in debt and there just wasn't any money for her service or burial. I did what I could at the time, even maxing out the one credit card I had to pay for her cremation. I felt wrong. It felt wrong. I wish I could have viewed it to make sure we were getting the right ashes. I still feel horrible to this day. My sister gave the money for her urn and luckily my grandfather was in WWII (yes, that is odd to say) so she was buried with him in his service plot.


I also want to second the urban funeral. I've been to one and yes, for those not used to them, they do seem a strange way to host a funeral. But, I'd rather people celebrate me than mourn me. Maybe they could put my face on a T-shirt and wear that?