Is it "right" to take pictures at a funeral????
By Stephanie5
@Stephanie5 (2946)
United States
February 4, 2007 7:00am CST
Growing up, I always heard my mom's side of the family complaining about people taking pictures at a funeral. My dad's side is the opposite. So, I'm confused. And I'm wondering how many of you out there take pictures at funerals.
I don't think that clicking away pictures of the person in the casket in front of everyone is the proper thing to do. I think that is disrespectful. I don't know why you would want a picture like that. Why would you want that to be the way you remember them?
I know that most families don't get together alot and you want pictures of you and your family together, but I think that should wait until the reception afterwards. I don't think people should run around taking pictures at the funeral home. But that's just what I was taught growing up, so I might be wrong. How do you feel about it?
29 people like this
18 responses
@nypage (157)
• United States
4 Feb 07
If wanting to take pictures of the deceased, I have no problem with that aside that it should be done with tact. Take them before the guests arrive or after they've all left. Taking random pictures of friends and family members in mourning--I think that unless they've expressed an interest in having their portrait taken at this juncture, you should put the camera away. It may make other mourners uncomfortable or give a feeling of disrespect and that's not what people are there for.
3 people like this
@rainbow (6761)
•
9 Feb 07
I don't think my family have ever done that. I have heard where there is a guest book before but I don't know that I tink it's very nice.
Maybe if the kids are playing outside afterwards it's a bit different but it probably wouldn't occur to me to be anything out of the ordinary after the ceremony and meal are over.
1 person likes this
@abhiquest (579)
• India
5 Feb 07
It all part of memories. If you take it positively than you can take those pictures, infact they create a much lasting impression on your mind.
1 person likes this
@diptichandan (28)
• India
5 Feb 07
i think it is a very wrong thing to do it and it should be "Condemened" as this is the last journey of a person and how will the near and ear ones who dont like such a thing feel just think.. it is highly disrespectful and an awful thing to do
@Soilienkhoul (287)
• India
5 Feb 07
Yea man. But i feel sometimes its necessary, i guess.
1 person likes this
@mrsjumppuppy03 (3301)
• United States
28 Mar 08
There is no right or wrong answer here. It is what ever comforts the family.
Me personally, I want pictures of them when they were living, not lying in a casket. Yuck, creeps me out thinking about it.
@gobindsing (470)
• India
4 Sep 07
I think it is wrong, my Hindu religion does not allow this at all, and the reason is that it can only bring pain and grief to all the people concerned.
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
5 Feb 07
I would not take the pictures, and I would not want people taking pictures of me, if I were the one in the casket....hey, what am I saying? I want to be cremated!!
I can see pictures AFTER the service of those still alive, but not pictures of the casket.
@monkeywriter (2004)
• United States
5 Feb 07
I think it is OKAY to take pictures after the funneral is over. If you want to keep that memory. But ones of your family together, or stuff to remember it. I know it feels funny though. At my grandmas funneral last year my sister took pictures at the lunch we had after. Even then I was thinking "um this is odd, taking pictures at someones funneral lunch!" But at the same time maybe its just the way some people deal with pain: by recalling the thing that hurt them so much! Everyone is different!
@traceyleeappel (510)
• Australia
5 Feb 07
i beleive that it is so disrespectfull to do that myself ! It is not the right thing to do !!! Not only that they are die respecting the decease but the decease family as well !! My God that is disgraceful !!!
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
4 Sep 07
I've had my Grandfather (on my Mom's side) and my oldest brothers wife both pass away and both times someone was taking pics which I too think is disrespectful. I'd rather have a nice pic of them smiling and laughing. My dog and best friend passed away last year and I have several pics of him around and they are all of him playing or looking happy.
I read somewhere that a long time ago when a person would die that they'd prop the person up with the living reletives and take a family picture. That would gross me out to no end.
Have a great day!!
AT PEACE WITHIN
@onesiobhan (1327)
• Canada
4 Feb 07
I've never heard of this practice. It strikes me as kind of weird to be honest.
I would tend to want people to wait for the reception, but I guess if they really wanted a picture of the casket I wouldn't stop them. People have their own way of remembering loved ones, even if it seems a little off to me.
@babydolphin (536)
• Australia
4 Feb 07
I think taking pictures of the deceases is not really right, it is not respectful to the family left behind. Truthfully I dont really care about the deceased, its not that I dont respect them, but what is in the casket, what we see it is only an empty shell, their soul has gone elsewhere and what should be respected is of course the soul. I myself dont take picture of the deceased or their family or anything.
@missmuffet (238)
• United States
4 Feb 07
I personally prefer to remember how a person looked when they were alive. I guess it is a personal thing. If I wanted pics I would quietly ask a member of the family and if they said yes I woulld do it when no one was around. If they said no I would let it go. The family's feelings are the main consideration.
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
4 Feb 07
In my family they have never taken pictures. I have been to many (wakes) and I think it's because they don't want to rememeber that person in this state. We do touch or kiss the body farewell.
