They’re a bit weird, for sure. Many cultures mourn their dead in person. Some people can handle it, some people can’t. Some find it helps with closure, others may not. Sometimes people die unexpectedly and it’s nice to have one last chance to see them and say goodbye.
I went to two open-casket funerals in 2016. For me, it went something like this:
- Walk up to casket
- Think to myself, “Hmm, grandma didn’t really look like that.”
- Realize so much vibrancy is missing, which helps the reality sink in
- Think, “Bye, grandma. I’m going to miss you.”
- Tear up
- Stand for a bit, thinking about fond memories
- Walk away