why do people take pictures at funerals?

Question

I am talking about family pictures like you would take at a wedding or anniversary but also...

pictures of the deceased?

I guess I don't understand. I don't like my picture being taken anyway and once at a funeral I was forced to get in a family picture. I felt very uncomfortable and it felt rather morbid to me. I have also known people to take pictures of the deceased during their wake? Can you explain the reasons for this? Do you actually go back and look at these pictures?

Answer 1

People get very sentimental at times of bereavement and tend to do things that you think are strange,it is part of the healing process to recall memories and share stories of the loved one`s life and I guess taking photo`s fits in there too.

Answer 2

I have presided over a funeral where there were pictures taken of family members and the dead. Also when I was in high school we had a memorial service for the 3 Seniors that had died in car accidents that year and they had a slide show, 2 of the 3 seniors had pictures of them in their caskets. Completely creepy and strange if you ask me.

Guess they do it because its a moment in time but I do not want any photos taken at my funeral and I will make that clear.

Answer 3

Back in the 20's 30's and 40's this was something that was done on a regualr basis. My mom has a photo album of her older sister that died when she was 1 years old. They did as a way of remembering the deceased, and I guess they still do it. I havent been to a funeral in a while.

Answer 4

A lot of people only get together at holidays or funerals, so that may be the only chance they get for family shots. But as far as the deceased, that is too morbid for me too.

Answer 5

I think it is creepy. I don't want to remember them like that. My dad and stepmom(especially her) would do that at every funeral. My grandmother on my moms' side always did that. What's left of my family now, mainly my brother and stepmother still do that. I don't like it at all. I want to remember my loved one as they were. The only family I have left now are my (27) his 3 girls(9,7 & 4) have never been to a funeral. My son & I don't believe in the picture thing. CREEPY TO ME!

Answer 6

I am on staff as a Chaplain at a large memorial park in Southern California. I have presided at more funerals and Requiems and memorial services than I can count.

I have never seen any pictures taken. Not of the family. Not of the dearly departed.

I think your family may have a few wing nuts in the mix.

Answer 7

I understand about taking family pictures of the living. I do not understand taking pictures of the dead person either. I did not even want to see my dad in his casket, I wanted to remember what he looked like when he was alive.

Answer 8

I don't get it, either. It brings comfort to some people.
My daddy, twin sister, and mother are all dead. I didn't take any pictures of any of the flowers or anything. I don't want to look back and remember any of it.

Answer 9

when my grandfather died, my dad was away at sea and we lived too far away from my mom to make it to the funeral with 6 kids at home-one of my aunts mailed photos of my grandfather all laid out in his casket-my mom was horrified when she opened the envelope and saw the pictures-it STILL creeps me out to remember it!

Answer 10

hmm that is weird. i agree it would be uncomfortable for me as well

prolly cuz some ppl like to document every event of their life

its not common, though, taking pics at funerals. i've never heard of it before...