photos of funerals ?

[TheOtherHalf]

On the radio this morning, it is apparently becoming big business to hire a professional photographer now for funerals as for weddings.
Our family are photo mad and take photos of any occasion including funerals. Have done for years. Its nice to share them with far away relatives who cannot attend. Also sometimes, they provide memories of the day as you are so upset you cannot even remember who was there. Also, you could have photos of relatives who have come from abroad especially for the funeral who you havnt seen for years and may never see again. Its is a family get together after all. We dont see anything morbid about it but I can understand that some people do.
How do you feel about it.

[Bbbananas]

The 'wake' after the funeral, maybe - I could cope with that. But no photos before or at the actual funeral service, cremation or burial - that would be just too weird for me. Are people supposed to smile at the camera and say cheese?

[B00]

Agree with the above 2 posters.

Something not right at all about taking pictures of someone when they're grieving like that.

[B00]

Oh ewww, just had a thought. Don't take pictures of the corpses do you?

[TheOtherHalf]

We recently went to my uncles funeral. He was a well respected Salvation Army member and there were a procession of walking army members carrying flags ahead of the hearse and a flag over the coffin. You just had to take a photo ! It was something to be remembered. Then when photos were taken at the wake, they just on a casual basis and nobody minded at all

[Bbbananas]

I remember being horrified when my ex went to his mother's grave the day after she was buried to take photographs of her grave and the flowers & wreaths. He kept them in a dresser drawer. I thought that was weird.

Funerals and death are not the time for photos, in my opinion. The wake afterwards, if it's one of those boozy jolly rememberance-type ones, but it's just a strange idea I think.

[albaqwerty]

my sons' went to a burial of one of their friends last friday and I DO NOT want to see any pictures of who was there etc.

[Bbbananas]

But it's the same with all our servicemen and women at present returning home in their coffins from Afghanistan and the like. A very 'proud' moment with the procession & suchlike, the uniformed presence and the general respect. A great photo opportunity perhaps, But for family members?.....

[TheOtherHalf]

No Boo, we dont take photos of the corpse but apparently the professionals will if asked. I dont agree with that, but then its personal choice isnt it

[bednobs]

on the day of my daughter's funeral i almost took the camera before leaving the house, but something stopped me - tradition, perhaps?

[Dris]

I wouldnt need photographic evidence of something you wont ever forget for the rest of your life anyway.I think they would haunt me.

[Bbbananas]

Photographs of corpses TOH? Now that is just not right. No.

I think that a photo of a stillborn baby or a baby who dies soon after birth is acceptable & can bring future comfort for the parents - because they would have no other (happier) photos of the babe's very existence. But other than that - not in my opinion.

[TheOtherHalf]

I can understand what you are saying bednobs. If its someone, especially and son or daughter I dont I would take mine, as I would be too distressed, but I wouldnt mind if a family member did and showed me photos at a suitably later date

[LoftyLottie]

Not right somehow. Actually, I am not a fan of photos being taken on any occasion really. Didn't have any when I got married! But each to his own I suppose. I prefer to have the memories I have in my head not from photos.

[jaydah]

Its a good to have an independant photographer for the reasons you quote, memories & updated pictures of guests whom you may not see till the next family/friends funeral. Photos taken at the Wake rather than a background of smoke :)