Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

With all the complaints from people because their Soaps and other programmes were cancelled on Friday because Prince Philip had died, reminded me of years ago when someone died.

In those days, curtains in the house were drawn as a mark of respect to the person who had died.
Black ties, or black armbands were worn.
Men took off their caps or hats when a coffin in a hearse passed them in the street.
These days, it seems when someone has died it is an inconvenience to some.
Wait ‘til the Queen dies, they’ve seen nothing yet.

Can you remember anything we used to do in respect for a person who had died and for the bereaved?

Re: Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

I can remember curtains being drawn, men doffing their hats as a hearse drove past, people crossing themselves, etc. I still have a black tie hanging in my wardrobe ready for use when necessary.

Re: Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

I remember black wreaths being hung on doorways.

It is still considered common courtesy to pull over while a hearse and the cars with their headlights on drive past on their way to the cemetery.

Some forms of respect are better to leave behind. I remember stories of family members being propped up in their coffins in the dining room while a wake went on around them, and after portraiture first became popular, I have seen photos of families surrounding their dead loved one.

Re: Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

Percy, l remember, as a schoolgirl when a hearse passed us in the street, we would hold our collar until we saw a dog.

Or, was it holding your collar, standing on one leg until you saw a three legged animal?

Re: Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

Surfermom, Don't they have to kiss the dead person in the open coffin too?

Re: Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

What's to respect? When someone's dead they're dead. Seriously.

Re: Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

...... moving swiftly on.....

Re: Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

It is fine to remember people as they were in life, but a corpse is merely a waste product to be disposed of once any useful bits have been removed.

Re: Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

I have no, Art.

I also forgot to mention - the parade of casseroles taken to the home of the deceased . That always seemed kind but strange to me; the last thing I want to do is it.

Re: Don’t We Respect The Dead Anymore?

RJG, Then it must be of great comfort to the bereaved that the person’s organs are living on in another person, who might have died otherwise.

I wonder if royalty donate their organs?