Funerals to Die For.

This lens is about honouring and taking care of our loved ones in death as in life.    There is a time to grieve and also a time to celebrate.  Death has a number of phases and we can participate in the dying of a loved one by being there, talking to them quietly and touching them with love.

I will talk about the Vigil, the preparation of the body, the ecology of the burial or cremation, the coffin and the necessary paperwork.  

As I live in Australia it will be from the Australian legal viewpoint, therefore, if you live in  another country you will need to consult the appropriate authorities on what you can and cannot do.

 Have you ever been to a funeral where the Priest or Minister gave a sermon about death, resurrection, hell and heaven but nothing said about the life of the individual person concerned.

Thank goodness we have come to our senses and nowadays like to give a do-it-yourself ceremony with much rejoicing about the life and foibles, funny and sad stories with each family member and friend encouraged to contribute a story or to describe their feelings about the deceased person.

Many people are toasted and remembered with the coffin or casket in the backyard of the home they have lived in.   Children are there along with other members of the family and friends to celebrate the life of the deceased with many memories as each one including children tell of their own experience with the family member, who will be cremated or buried after the service among loved ones.

This way of saying goodbye to the dead is a therapeutic experience for the whole family.

Many people are able to choose a coffin before they die, or at least give loved ones an indication of the type of coffin or casket they would like.

Sometimes the family is so attuned to the situation that they forgo the traditional or ordinary casket and choose something in wicker for the ecology conscious or paint one in the colours of a favourite football team if the deceased was a member or player of that Club.

Although we may indulge in a DIY sendoff for the deceased it is wise to put the burial details and the interment in the hands of the professionals.  This way means that you do not have to do all the paperwork and arrangements as this can be a tricky business and best left to the Funeral Director.

Created by Carmen Sebestyen
aka Ariana of Oz aka Ariandel of Avalon.