Talking To Mr B Just Now ,Something We Were Watching And Someone Had Died, I Said People Use To Draw The Curtains Years Ago When There Was A Death

[Bobbisox1]

He’d never heard of it, has anyone else?

[woofgang]

Bobbisox1
" Question Author
Wolfie, things have changed for the better I’d say, our friend passed away a year ago to the day, it was his wish that we all dressed in bright colours and played ‘his’ music at the Wake , best funeral I’ve attended"

My Mum had a bright pink hearse and a wicker coffin draped in paper flowers and calico. Her wishes were for the brightest funeral possible and we all turned up in bright clothes.

[Bobbisox1]

I love that, she must of been one special lady

[Zacs-Master]

Yep, remember that. Maybe it originated from the body lying in the parlour?

[-SharonA-]

Best funeral I'd attended was one where the wife of the deceased got so drunk at the wake. She even wore a low cut black dress, dancing alone sexily and
with every male, she even 'disappeared' with someone coming back all dishevelled. We all sat there open mouthed & tut tutting.

[Bobbisox1]

Zac,I think you’re right

Sharon , she was a Merry Widow eh ? :0)))

[-SharonA-]

Too right Bobbi!

[Jackdaw33]

The curtains were closed from the time of death until the funeral. A small gap was left between the curtains so that people would know that it was a house of mourning and not just that people were still in bed.

[DTCwordfan]

Been a few, one of the most memorable in Nigeria, the Marketing Director of the ex BP company who was our agent, the company called African Petroleum. George S was also the Nigerian rep on the Olympics having played table tennis at the Games and, if I remember right, he headed the sport Federation.

Talk about a celebration of life as to the service and then the wake a total beano and loads/loads of food and booze. It's certainly one way to exit this world!

[Peter Pedant]

Yup Knutsford
BUT - - - they were employees of the Big House and it was only when Lord Egerton died

people here still stop in the street when a filled hearse goes by

[Jackdaw33]

Another custom was that when a person died any photographs of them were turned to face the wall. Also all mirrors in the house were covered with black cloth. Letters would be posted in special black-edged envelopes.

[Peter Pedant]

I got chucked out of a funeral
too jolly
Romans celebrate the life of the deceased
and I was sternly told as I was given the bums rush that was NOT how proddies did it at all, never heard such tommy rot
glum looks and stifled sobs

my coat was thrown after me

[Peter Pedant]

jesus that was a bit victorian - black toile around the mirrors
Black edged evelopes I havent seen for a few years

[Bobbisox1]

JD, I thought that was only in the Jewish community?
I never knew about the photos etc

[burlyshirley]

I remember this well from my childhood. I remember coming home from school one day, I was about 9 and the curtains were closed in the front room and I asked Mum why the curtains were closed. She told me that my Grandad had died and I distinctly remember saying that I know, he died in December (this was now March) and Mum said that no, it was my other Grandad.

[teacake44]

If you did that now, it would be an indication that your at a funeral, and your house would be ransacked.

[barry1010]

Still do

[jennyjoan]

the curtains would have been drawn if you had any. usually blinds for us were pulled down.

[roopower]

Oh yes, I remember from my childhood. Everyone in the street closed their front curtains the day of the funeral.

[carrot99]

As a kid I remember people wearing black armbands or sometimes just a small diamond shaped piece of black material sewn on the arm of their coat.

[Nieve]

Yes I remember curtains being closed on the day of a funeral. Also black armbands being worn by the deceased family for about 3 months and black clothing.