After looking into Irish funerary customs, I found a lot of differences about their outlook of death as compared to the American Outlook. In America, wakes are usually just within one afternoon, and are short lived. However, Irish wakes consist of three days full of upbeat music, games, and laughter. In Ireland, they celebrate the life of loved ones and spend the days after their death remembering them. However, it seems as if we Americans are afraid of reminisce the life of our loved ones how have passed, and just try to get over their death. Although Irish customs are seen as disrespectful or impolite within the America's societal norms, Ireland has been performing these customs for years. Within American culture, it is hard to understand the Irish unique traditions. However, we should to be opened minded in understanding the reasoning behind their ideas of death. I believe that in the end it would allow us to deal with death within much healthier circumstances.
Being Irish, I have learned a lot about my heritage through this blog, and realized that my family has a brighter outlook on death than I do. Learning about their use of music, and humor made me realize that there can be a positive outlook amongst death. Understanding their laments, and other funerary games provided their versions of mourning. But what was most astounding to me within all my research was the thought of celebrating ones death. Because the Irish focus on memories of their deceased loved ones rather than their actual death, they allow themselves to celebrate a lifetime and forget the bad times. This concept was most important to me because it helped to lessen my fear of death and all that has to come with it. My research allowed me to justify my opinions of death, and taught me to enjoy my life rather than to live being scared of dying. Therefore in the end, I hope that my loved ones will remember the good times rather than the bad and find ways to celebrate my life in laughter and memories rather than in sorrow and grief.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Irish Association of Funeral Directors
According to the primary website of the Irish Association of Funeral Directors (IAFD), it is a " Customer Care Charter for the clients of (IAFD) Funeral Directors, guaranteeing minimum standards of professional competence, openness and caring for families at what tends to be a vulnerable time for many." This association provides help for families at one of their most vulnerable times, along with the death of a loved one. Their official website offers a list of things you must first do when a person of your family dies, and a PDF version including an even more sophisticated list. Also, they have many comforting opportunities that come along with the Funeral Directors who will be assigned to a client's funeral service. The person will take care of legal and financial situations, and organize possible organ donations, funeral homes, purchasing a headstone and even charities. If you think about the amount of relief that these people must feel with amount of responsibility put on their shoulders in such a difficult situation.
This association defines Irish culture and their funerary traditions in many ways. The association offers counseling and support groups for these people, along with many other alternatives for families to heal. These alternatives include a "Healing Space" in which reflections are placed once a month in order for these families to read, and allow them to give thought through this difficult time. The way that the irish provide services for their funeral ceremonies, is just another example of the practice of alleviating pain, and providing positive outlooks for the families of the deceased ones.
As compared to America, there are many services that provide the same things. However, the american way of doing things is alot more about mourning, and letting the family stay in their depressive state, rather than helping them to stay positive or bright upon these kinds of ceremonies. The ways in which the irish practice these ceremonies provide valuable insight, and healing centers rather than mounring routines and states of depression as in the U.S. What I have learned form the Irish is that death is just another part of life, and it is more about remembering the deceased one rather than mourning them.
Irish Association of Funeral Directors
2009 Certificate In Funeral Practice:Irish Association of Funeral Directors. Electric Document,http://www.iafd.ie/codeofpractice.php
This association defines Irish culture and their funerary traditions in many ways. The association offers counseling and support groups for these people, along with many other alternatives for families to heal. These alternatives include a "Healing Space" in which reflections are placed once a month in order for these families to read, and allow them to give thought through this difficult time. The way that the irish provide services for their funeral ceremonies, is just another example of the practice of alleviating pain, and providing positive outlooks for the families of the deceased ones.
As compared to America, there are many services that provide the same things. However, the american way of doing things is alot more about mourning, and letting the family stay in their depressive state, rather than helping them to stay positive or bright upon these kinds of ceremonies. The ways in which the irish practice these ceremonies provide valuable insight, and healing centers rather than mounring routines and states of depression as in the U.S. What I have learned form the Irish is that death is just another part of life, and it is more about remembering the deceased one rather than mourning them.
Irish Association of Funeral Directors
2009 Certificate In Funeral Practice:Irish Association of Funeral Directors. Electric Document,http://www.iafd.ie/codeofpractice.php
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
