The funeral home provides a space where grief can be openly expressed. Family members and loved ones gather there to support one another. The love and warmth we receive from those close to us can be deeply comforting. It is important to encourage people to express their emotions while reassuring them of our support. Many families prefer to keep the casket closed because they fear becoming overwhelmed with emotion. Yet crying or showing intense grief is neither a loss of self-control nor a breach of social etiquette.
When the Body Is Absent
When the body is absent, a photograph of the deceased, often showing them smiling and full of life, may be placed near the casket. The visible signs of death are then removed from view, making it more difficult to confront the reality of a loved one’s death. The absence of the body can also make it harder to express one’s grief.
Experience has shown how important it is to gather together around the body of the deceased as part of the funeral ritual. As has often been noted, viewing the body can help release emotions. Seeing the lifeless body of someone we love can bring powerful feelings to the surface, allowing them to be expressed. At the funeral home, people can rely on the support of those around them if they become overwhelmed. A natural network of care and solidarity often forms in those moments.
Expressing Grief
Remember that one of the purposes of funeral rituals is to provide a safe space for grief to be expressed. When emotions become overwhelming, family members and loved ones are there to offer support. It is therefore better to allow even the strongest emotions to come out, including through tears, rather than keeping them bottled up. Suppressing grief can make the grieving process more difficult and prolonged. The presence of the bod
Ultimately, it is better for those affected by a death to express their grief during the funeral ritual. We should not wait until we are alone to let the tears come. Who would be there to comfort us then?
Text : Denis Jeffrey, Professor
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