Waking the dead
Following the tragic death of a near neighbour, the remains are to be waked in the sittingroom of his house. Few things send chills down my spine, but being in the presence of a corpse does exactly that. It's a fairly infrequent occurrence of everyday life, especially now that remains are not being waked in the home as much as they were in the past.
Long ago, most people died at home and it was normal for the body to be cleaned and dressed for presentation in a bedroom or in the sittingroom. This evening I refused to go and pay my respects. I don't have as much of a problem with visiting funeral homes but in the enclosed surroundings of a family home, I buckle. My father was not pleased.
To make matters worse, my father is adamant that he be waked at home. Of course I'm very much against this idea. And I've told him as much. To ensure that his wishes are granted, he threatens to make provisions in his will!
Another gripe I have with the whole custom is that the surviving family members are reminded of that spot on the floor every time it is passed. It's where death lay for those few hours. Undoubtedly, family and friends would like it to be a living face that they remember of the departed. Too often I've gone to a funeral home and not recognised the deceased in the coffin. It doesn't do their memory any justice.
Published by Colm.
Long ago, most people died at home and it was normal for the body to be cleaned and dressed for presentation in a bedroom or in the sittingroom. This evening I refused to go and pay my respects. I don't have as much of a problem with visiting funeral homes but in the enclosed surroundings of a family home, I buckle. My father was not pleased.
To make matters worse, my father is adamant that he be waked at home. Of course I'm very much against this idea. And I've told him as much. To ensure that his wishes are granted, he threatens to make provisions in his will!
Another gripe I have with the whole custom is that the surviving family members are reminded of that spot on the floor every time it is passed. It's where death lay for those few hours. Undoubtedly, family and friends would like it to be a living face that they remember of the departed. Too often I've gone to a funeral home and not recognised the deceased in the coffin. It doesn't do their memory any justice.
Published by Colm.
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