Funerals

[corylus]

Since when did it become customary to have photographs of the deceased on the Order of Service at the funeral and sometimes placed on the coffin?

[bednobs]

im not sure it's customary, it's personal choice.
Perhaps when people began to be able to do desktop publishing at home?

[Prudie]

Probably since technology advanced so that inserting a photo in a print was easy. I might be wrong, I thought the photo by the coffin was an Americanism.

[Kathyan]

I think it's an American thing.

[corylus]

I find it rather disconcerting and would rather reflect on my memories rather than have a photograph stuck in front of me.

[sherrardk]

Both my mother and grandfather's order of service had photos on them in 2010, I was quite thrown by it.

[Brinjal]

Quite usual to have a photo on the order of service but on the coffin is definitely an American thing.

[Dee-M-See]

Being a bit flippant on a sad subject , to make sure you are at the right funeral

[boxtops]

It's up to the family - we had a lovely photo of my mother at her Remembrance service. I see nothing wrong with it, any more than in having photos of the bride and groom on wedding invitations.

[phleb]

Not customary at all. Funerals should be a simple occasion in my opinion. People just change things about and like to make it a celebration, and organise it like they would a wedding! hence, photo's everywhere. I mean, people attending the funeral would already know what the deceased looked like, why the need for a photo on every order of service.

[phleb]

I say that is my opinion. I apologise if I offend anyone. I already have an idea as to how my funeral will go....no music, no tears, just quick prayer and get me in that earth so i can move on x

[ummmm]

phleb - not that simple. A friend of my dad who he hadn't seen for at least 20 years flew to England for his funeral and flew home the same day. I'm sure he appreciated seeing up to date photos.

20 years can fly by.

[phleb]

ummmm, sorry, I didn't see it that view. You are right, that's a good point.

[Mamyalynne]

I had a favourite photo of my husband on a small table at the entrance to the Chapel where the simple service took place - some attending had not seen him face to face for quite some time.

[Kassee]

I think its personal choice. I think its nice to see pictures of the person that has passed away, taken at different times during their life. I think its nice to hear an Eulogy about the deceased persons life, what I find difficult to bear is when people dress in bright colours for a funeral. Personally I find that hard, if I am feeling sad and bereaved then I like to wear dark colours, but again sometimes the bright colour is what the family or, the deceased, has wanted. So the whole thing is a matter of choice.

[anneasquith]

geez , I hope no one has a picture of me on the order of service, unless I choose it myself :)

[Robinia]

I think it's a nice touch. We had a handful of photos of our brother ranging from childhood to just before he died printed in the order of service for his funeral.

[rockyracoon]

A funeral is usually about a celebration of the deceased life so I think photos are quite fitting, if it makes the family feel better, then all's good.

[pastafreak]

If the deceased has been ill,a photo is also a way to remember them when they were fit and healthy.
As for colour...when a co-worker took his own life,we all wore purple or pink to his funeral as a way to remember him,as he often wore those colours...and had the mick taken frequently as a result.

[pusskin]

On the last couple of the funerals in our family, we have had a photo up near or on the coffin, and it was lovely and very touching!
Lovely to see her/ his lovely face before we say goodbye.

[hippyhoppy]

We had photos of both mum and dad (respectively) on their order of service.. nice ones of them pre children.. (lol) and dad looking like 'James Bond' according to my son (mum, obviously, looking adorable). No photo's on the coffins tho...