I think embalming is disgusting and wakes are just downright creepy. I mean it makes me VERY uncomfortable that humans are OK with going to wakes to see their dead relatives lie in a casket. I remember my grandma died and I had to go see her like that. It wasn't right. They don't even look natural, they look like sculptures. I think once someone dies, they should be put in a casket closed. A photo of them should suffice. NOT ACTUALLY SEEING THEM DEAD!
2007-01-21 13:25:10 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
I understand your feelings on the matter, but you should realize that for many people, there is a sense of closure to be able to see for themselves that the one they love so much is actually gone. The viewing is often a catharsis, allowing the surviving loved ones to accept the loss, in a way that is healthy. As you get older, and lose someone who's closer to you, like a spouse or child, you may come to understand this need.
Grief is a powerful emotion, one of the strongest things we as humans will deal with, and there are many instances of the survivor not being able to move on, always believing their loved one isn't really dead, just gone, and who ever, if anyone, in the casket wasn't their loved one.
The experience is so deep and traumatic, when we lose a life mate, the ones left behind are CALLED survivors, ones who have lived through a near death, or possibly fatal experience.
I'm sorry you were subjected to the ordeal of a viewing when you were too young to understand it's reasons and for your lack of choice, but you are old enough to decide for yourself if a viewing , or a funeral service at all, for that matter, is something you wish to participate in.
If you feel you should go to a service, there is no stigma attached to those who do not wish to go forward for a viewing, as there are many people who share your feelings to one degree or another, but I'd hope you may be understanding in knowing how vital this simple opportunity is for many other people, and respect their needs and wishes, also.
2007-01-21 13:48:57 · answer #1 · answered by Rides365 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Embalming and wakes have been going on for a very long time. It's not going to stop because of one person being squeemish.
If it's an issue, you can choose not to go to the casket, or avert your eyes if you do. Wakes and funerals are for the living, so just be there and support those grieving.
2007-01-21 21:30:58 · answer #2 · answered by ??? LadyBoyd ??? 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it should be outlawed. But I also don't like it. They never look like their real selves.
If you don't like it, don't go. Just go to the funeral service where the casket is already closed. No one will judge you for that.
And put it in writing that you DO NOT want to be embalmed or have a viewing after you die. Make your wishes known now.
2007-01-21 21:35:23 · answer #3 · answered by bb 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think children should be encouraged to look at the dead, but some need that opportunity to say goodbye. You must consider every child individually.
It's obvious that you were not old enough and weren't carefully considered when you went to your grandmother's funeral. That's too bad.
By the way, it's the custom at funerals now to have the viewing the day before or the morning before the funeral and the casket is closed during the funeral. Sometimes a picture is present.
Embalming is rarely used these days. Unless a body must be transported, it's not needed.
2007-01-21 21:44:54 · answer #4 · answered by loryntoo 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
First of all I lost my mother when I was 15. This was a way to have closure and say bye to her. So no it shouldn't be outlawed.
Also I usually don't point out others answers in her but ceprn,.... a landfill? Are you talking about where they take garbage? If so is there something wrong with you? Really? I could never imagine throwing my mother or anyone that I love in a garbage. Would you like to see your mother, father, sister, brother thrown in a garbage pile to save prime real estate? That is totally out there if you ask me!
2007-01-21 21:48:01 · answer #5 · answered by Dana A 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I needed to do that to gain some closure. Otherwise, I'd always imagine that my Dad would be walking through the house or something, or maybe he would suddenly come back from wherever he went and talk to us again. I wouldn't have ever been able to sit down and say "he's dead" and come to terms with it and finish my grieving. So I think it should be a family's choice as to what happens to a dead body.
2007-01-21 21:33:47 · answer #6 · answered by Aloofly Goofy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No I don't think so some people need the wake to say good bye. But I understand that you are creeped out by a wake, personally I find it easier to go to a funeral mass to say my good byes.
2007-01-21 21:32:40 · answer #7 · answered by Pandora 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. I find that kind of traumatizing, especially for children who lose a parent or people who lose the love of their life. I'd definitely go for closed casket with a photo. I'd want to remember my family and especially my boyfriend as they were and would want them to remember me the same way.
2007-01-21 21:31:21 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Understood 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
So because you think something is creepy and wrong, the rest of us should agree with you and call on congress to make it Illegal. Wow, does your anus hurt from the world revolving around it all day.
2007-01-21 21:31:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
No Never!! It allows closure so that the living can see that person is really gone. But if you insist i will call my congressman right now to aleviate the distaste you have .......thats what the world is about... you... right?
2007-01-22 15:20:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋