Can you take a picture of a body at a funeral?
As a General Rule: No Photos Inside
Unless you have been specifically asked by the family of the deceased to do so, it is not appropriate to take pictures inside a funeral service or at a grave site. People in attendance at the funeral may be in mourning, or even crying, and taking photos is an invasion of privacy.
While most of us are familiar with tribute videos at funeral services, not everyone is comfortable with the idea of having a videographer record the funeral service. However, recording a funeral is acceptable, and it can be very beneficial to family members and friends.
In the US, no federal laws specifically extend post-mortem privacy protection. At the state level, privacy laws pertaining to the deceased vary significantly, but in general do not extend any clear rights of privacy beyond property rights.
You are not required to actually view the body at a funeral viewing. Many people are a bit uncomfortable with the idea of attending a viewing, but keep in mind that funeral viewing etiquette does not require you to actually look at or spend time with the deceased if you are not comfortable doing so.
It's never appropriate to photograph the casket, whether it's closed or open, unless you're directly asked to do so by the family.
Avoid dressing in casual clothing, such as athletic wear, tank tops, or shorts. Skip the flip-flops, tennis shoes, sneakers, or boat shoes. Remove the neon necktie, purse, or accessory. Shy away from wearing jeans, even black ones, because they are considered too casual for a funeral.
- 10 Things Not to Do at a Funeral. ...
- Don't be late. ...
- Don't dress for a club, party, or the beach. ...
- Don't let your phone ring, chime, or ding. ...
- Don't text, surf, or otherwise be glued to your cellphone. ...
- Don't forget the purpose of the occasion. ...
- Don't cause a scene.
The brain and nerve cells require a constant supply of oxygen and will die within a few minutes, once you stop breathing. The next to go will be the heart, followed by the liver, then the kidneys and pancreas, which can last for about an hour. Skin, tendons, heart valves and corneas will still be alive after a day.
Get permission and follow any rules laid down by the property owners. Cemeteries, temples, ruins, etc., are most likely owned and managed by some entity, whether it is a church, local government, historical society, etc. Be sure they are okay with you visiting and doing photography there. Get a permit if required.
While some people find comfort in seeing their loved ones as they remember them, it may also be uncomfortable to others. If they have an open casket viewing, make sure you follow proper funeral etiquette: DON'T touch the body under any circumstances. Sometimes the casket has a glass to prevent this from happening.
Why do they cover face before closing casket?
The deceased's face is sometimes covered before the casket is closed to protect it from the inside lid of the casket. If the face does not need protection, it may still be covered at the funeral as a gesture of comfort, out of respect for the body, or due to Catholic tradition. That's the short answer.
It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. As part of funeral care, the body is dressed and preserved, with the prime focus on the face. Post embalming, bodies are often placed without shoes; hence covering the legs is the way to offer a dignified funeral.
Funerals are usually made up of different stages. If your client is religious, the ceremony might have a few extra steps. Make sure you're aware of this beforehand. Typically, you should photograph people carrying the coffin, paying their respects, burying the coffin, and saying their goodbyes.
Avoid Showing Too Much Skin
A funeral is not a music video. It's not appropriate to dress as though you're about to head to a club. Skip mini-skirts, low-cut blouses, spandex, and anything else that will draw too much attention to yourself. This day isn't about you, not your cleavage.
Bold patterns are not appropriate for funerals and should be avoided. Keep skirts and dresses to the knee or below and avoid bare legs in general to keep your look formal. Avoid anything sparkly, fringed or sequined – this isn't a party.
In general, it is wise to avoid taking pictures at a funeral or a memorial service unless you have been specifically asked to do so by the deceased's family. Deciding to snap a few candids of the cousins gathered together can create tension and ruin the mood at the service.
No running, yelling, or rolling around on the ground. This is not a place for childhood games. Don't let them play on any of the monuments. While it is good to get children used to paying respects at a cemetery, they often don't fully understand the meaning of everything in the cemetery.
Respect the graves.
People often leave tributes to remember their loved ones, and the cemetery staff has been instructed not to remove anything. Is it disrespectful to walk on graves? Yes, it is disrespectful. Always walk between the headstones and avoid standing on top of a gravesite.
Wearing dark grey or deep blue is just as appropriate as black, while brown and lighter greys are suitable for the vast majority of funeral services. However, unless specifically requested by the deceased or their family, you should avoid any bright colors such as yellows, oranges, pinks, and reds.
Typically, you are allowed to touch the body at an open-casket funeral or viewing. Holding the deceased's hands or kissing their forehead are common ways to say goodbye. If there are special reasons you should not touch the body, the deceased's family or the funeral director will let you know.
Why would a funeral home not let you see the body?
Occasionally a funeral director or family liaison officer will advise a family against viewing the body because of bodily injuries or because of decomposition.
It's not only okay to smile at a funeral but it's also encouraged, especially when greeting the bereaved. Seeing someone smile at us can help lift our spirits. It's also a nonverbal way of showing support.
When properly stored and cooled, a body can be kept for up to six weeks at the funeral home, so you'll have plenty of flexibility when planning your memorial service. Cremation has become an increasingly popular option for people around the country. In fact, more bodies are now cremated than buried.
However, there's often confusion around whether caskets are locked or not. So, do caskets lock? Almost all modern caskets are designed to lock. While some caskets use simple clasps, others use internal hexagonal locking mechanisms that require a key to open.
While some people find comfort in seeing their loved ones as they remember them, it may also be uncomfortable to others. If they have an open casket viewing, make sure you follow proper funeral etiquette: DON'T touch the body under any circumstances. Sometimes the casket has a glass to prevent this from happening.