tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post1984224866359936900..comments2024-03-14T04:13:52.274-04:00Comments on Lost in the Pond | British accent. American life.: A British Expat's Take on US-Style Open Casket FuneralsLaurence Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12273049523024052213noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-19702621067620318452014-12-06T09:35:36.598-05:002014-12-06T09:35:36.598-05:00As my wife once said when a "plot" sales...As my wife once said when a "plot" salesman called - "I wouldn't be caught dead in this country." :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-21216185465270898142014-12-05T17:01:21.904-05:002014-12-05T17:01:21.904-05:00I'm an American Anglican and we don't do o...I'm an American Anglican and we don't do open caskets in our family, in fact most of my past relatives have been cremated. For my husband, however, who is from the South, it is a very common practice. I don't like the idea myself as I would prefer to remember the deceased as they were, alive and well rather than remember a dead body in an open casket. I'm not afraid of death at all. I just prefer a simple memorial service without a body where we can celebrate our lost loved one's life here on Earth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-56204848068141193882014-12-05T12:21:27.529-05:002014-12-05T12:21:27.529-05:00Please understand--we don't all do this!! I th...Please understand--we don't all do this!! I think it is more prevalent in some regions or cultures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-35889669372441857782013-12-31T15:48:08.707-05:002013-12-31T15:48:08.707-05:00I'm an American who grew up in a small Midwest...I'm an American who grew up in a small Midwestern town katty-cornered (diagonally) from the town's funeral home. My mother, knowing virtually everyone in the small town, would get up in the middle of the night to go to the loo and see the light on in the basement prep room of the funeral home. Knowing that someone had died the next question she asked herself was who. If there was a dear old person in town who had been ill for a long time my mother went to bed knowing that that old soul was at rest. If not, however, she would stay awake and fret worrying about who had had a fatal accident. She couldn't sleep until she knew who had passed away that night. I grew up across the street from death. I have no memory of the first open casket I witnessed. I was never protected from such sights. Ever. I grew up with such an acceptance of death being a part of life that now, at the age of 63, the thought of death doesn't bother me as much as it may bother some people. I do, however, understand the reticence of those folk who didn't grow up in such an environment as mine. For those of you, please know that it's okay. It's okay. Death is part of life. Don't be afraid of it. I was very near death 2 years ago...don't be scared. If you have to endure another open casket event just remember that the person in that box is at peace and smiling with the most incredible amount of love at all those in the room. It is all part of life.lyniebeckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13528846147911973753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-60569928418092744382013-12-16T14:25:09.073-05:002013-12-16T14:25:09.073-05:00As a Brit having lived in the USA for 36 years I s...As a Brit having lived in the USA for 36 years I still get creeped out by the open casket funerals. Not by seeing a dead body (I'm a nurse - I see lots) but by the kitchiness of the funeral homes, the abundance of bad taste in funeral home décor and and the general irreverence of the occasion. <br />Best open casket viewing I've experienced was my brothers at a UK undertakers _ very reverent, quiet, and speedy (30 mins tops). If it hadn't been for my sister in law's sister having the vapours it would have been perfect. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-56953280164271534342013-12-02T22:31:44.371-05:002013-12-02T22:31:44.371-05:00I'm American and I detest open casket funerals...I'm American and I detest open casket funerals. I will either refuse to go to a viewing or I will remain at the back of the room. My problem is two-fold - I don't want my last memory of that person to be lying in a casket (I can never remove that image from my head) and I find it a tad dis-respectful. Maybe the person wants a viewing but personally I feel like it's a final bit of voyeurism. I don't like the idea of people glaring, touching and saying things like "Doesn't she look wonderful? She looks the same?" No she doesn't! She's dead! The last thing I want is to be gawked at. Leave the casket closed and leave me alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-11761911887898593392013-09-20T12:30:46.866-04:002013-09-20T12:30:46.866-04:00I totally agree with Laurence Brown's article....I totally agree with Laurence Brown's article. My first American funeral was agony. I came upon the open coffin with no warning and almost passed out! I now know not to go near the open coffin and lose myself in the mourners. I think this is such a barbaric tradition (along with many other American habits), but, at least now I know how to handle it. And I will not be reserving my burial site either!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-81304842126780977172011-04-01T01:04:59.181-04:002011-04-01T01:04:59.181-04:00My family still takes pictures of those that have ...My family still takes pictures of those that have passed on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-84163312868667496212011-03-20T22:40:23.129-04:002011-03-20T22:40:23.129-04:00@Almost American. I shall pass these same sentimen...@Almost American. I shall pass these same sentiments onto my wife.Laurence Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12273049523024052213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3794697684312522467.post-40591651981855057972011-03-19T16:01:46.587-04:002011-03-19T16:01:46.587-04:00I once told my (American) husband that if I go bef...I once told my (American) husband that if I go before him and he has a wake with an open casket, I will come back and haunt him!Almost Americanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17865905831387595915noreply@blogger.com