Open or shut case
I've been to two funeral-home visitations in the past week. A relation-by-marriage and the mother of a dear friend both passed after long long illnesses. Both families are largely composed of devout Christians who earnestly believe that the departed is now in a far better place. Both families firmly believe that the body left behind is just a shell void of anima and spirit.
Both visitations included open caskets. I've been to way too many funerals and I have seen many open caskets. The dead body doesn't spook me or offend me. I guess I just don't understand why people want to display something that is the antithesis of the life they are celebrating. I am not criticizing the choice..I just don't get it.
Oddly enough, I discovered a blog dedicated to this question (IS THERE ANYTHING or ANY TOPIC un-blogged?). Do people really want to be remembered in still repose, a passive shell unsparked?
When I go, I want friends laughing with my family, Steve Earle's "I ain't ever satisfied' playing in the background, and maybe a picture of me at a ballpark. No matter what you believe happens after death, that corpse in the box ain't really me...I'll be moving on.
Both visitations included open caskets. I've been to way too many funerals and I have seen many open caskets. The dead body doesn't spook me or offend me. I guess I just don't understand why people want to display something that is the antithesis of the life they are celebrating. I am not criticizing the choice..I just don't get it.
Oddly enough, I discovered a blog dedicated to this question (IS THERE ANYTHING or ANY TOPIC un-blogged?). Do people really want to be remembered in still repose, a passive shell unsparked?
When I go, I want friends laughing with my family, Steve Earle's "I ain't ever satisfied' playing in the background, and maybe a picture of me at a ballpark. No matter what you believe happens after death, that corpse in the box ain't really me...I'll be moving on.
