As discussed in previous blogs, funerals are taking a new form as society pulls away from traditional norms and introduces new practices into the funeral industry, which at times also includes reintroducing old practices. People are becoming wary of the stereotypical funerals with somber processions, dark colors, and depressing atmospheres. Instead, people are trying to put the “fun” into funerals by implementing more celebratory get-togethers with family and loved ones to memorialize the deceased person and come to terms with their passing on more cheerful terms. This has been done by way of personalized funerals or family-led funerals, traditional funerals such as Irish wakes or Jazz funerals, or celebrating a person’s life while they are still alive. These different types of funerals serve to honor and celebrate a deceased or dying person’s life in ways that promote joy and life during this inevitable part of someone’s life.
Irish Wakes
An Irish wake is an old custom that predates many of the new customs that Western society considers “traditional” in the funeral industry. In the olden days, the Irish would hold a wake in which they would sit with the body three days before burial. The body was laid in front of an open window, which remained open the entirety of the wake through which the person’s spirit was said to exit the home. After the body was dressed and prepared, a woman would weep, wail, and recite poetry over the body, and other women would join her. After, living family members or loved ones would take turns sitting with the body while others joined them to memorialize the deceased person. While they would sit with the body, they would have friends and family gather to drink, eat, share stories, mourn, and celebrate the life of the deceased person.
Many people in Ireland still hold wakes after a death, and this practice is more common in smaller towns. The wakes are held in a person’s home, funeral home, or even in a bar or restaurant. The wakes take the place of a viewing, or they can even be after the funeral. While they no longer typically last three days, they still include eating, drinking, singing, and telling stories. The atmosphere is a blend between grieving and general joviality. However, wakes are still viewed as a circumstance in which attending parties should be respectful of the deceased person and their family members. Wakes are an excellent place for family and loved ones to gather, reconcile, and come to terms with the passing of a loved one.
Jazz Funerals and the Second Line
Jazz funerals are a New Orleans’ tradition which originated among the African American population in the city. A jazz funeral celebrates life while memorializing the dead person. The jazz funeral would occur during the funeral procession to the gravesite, during which a brass band, or jazz band would follow the casket. Directly following the band would be what was called the first line, or the family members and close friends. All other members of the town who saw the procession and wanted to join would follow behind the first line and were in turn called the second line. On the way to the funeral, the jazz band would play somber, walking-pace, Christian hymns, and after burial, the band would play upbeat music. The procession would start dancing to the upbeat music, and the funeral would turn into a street celebration.
From this tradition evolved second lines, which are parades organized by clubs, in which people join as they walk throughout the streets of town. The parades include eating, drinking, and most importantly—dancing to the jazz music. The parades occur every Sunday from September to May, and last about four hours. The second line includes making stops at club member’s homes, significant neighborhood sites, and importantly, bars. The community celebration is a way to engage and unite members in a celebration that honors both the living and the dead.
Funeral Dinner Parties
Funeral dinner parties are a more modern invention during which people gather together to either discuss their end-of-life wishes or celebrate their life before they are dead. People host dinner parties for their close family members so that they can discuss their plans and wishes upon their death. These dinners are used to promote a lighthearted, open discussion among family members in an attempt to overcome the daunting stereotypes surrounding death. Rather than being seen as a somber affair, they are viewed as an event during which family members can gather, plan, and come to terms with the reality of death. These dinners also ensure that family members clearly understand the wishes of a dying person.
A funeral party can also be used as a pre-celebration of death, of which the dying person attends and oversees. This is almost like a funeral service that the person gets to attend while still alive, and they can gather with their loved ones to celebrate their life before the inevitable. These are also seen as joyful affairs during which families and loved ones can play games, eat, drink, dance, and have an all-out celebration. The funeral parties are used as another way to allow people to fulfill wishes before death and celebrate the life they have lived.
All of these ways and more are unique twists to traditional funerals that serve to celebrate life and memorialize the dead. These funerals are more joyous affairs during which family members and loved ones can gather and celebrate the life of someone before or after they die. Irish funerals, Jazz funerals, and funeral parties are just a few examples of ways that people can and have put the “fun” into funerals.
Blog Resources
http://lifebeforedeath.com/the-last-word/departure-party/
http://www.deathdinnerparty.com/
https://www.aarp.org/money/investing/info-10-2013/death-dinner-parties-discuss-end-of-life.html
https://forward.com/schmooze/404360/jewish-death-maven-hosts-fun-eral-parties-celebrating-death/
https://www.frenchquarter.com/secondline/
https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/music/history-and-traditions/second-lines/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/understanding-second-lines-1604101
https://64parishes.org/entry/jazz-funerals-and-second-line-paradeshttps://rip.ie/article.php?AID=32
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/sep/09/why-the-irish-get-death-right
https://www.connollycove.com/insight-irish-wake-superstitions-associated/