When friends and family start planning a funeral service for their lost loved one, they have to make dozens of decisions at a tough time. One of those tough decisions is choosing whether or not to have an open casket or a closed casket for the funeral service.
There are actually several different things to consider when trying to decide if the funeral service should have an open casket or not, and it’s not a decision that should be made lightly.
WHY CHOOSE AN OPEN CASKET?
Many families choose to have an open casket during a funeral, a vigil, a viewing, or a wake. In fact, in some cultures having an open casket is expected. It is said that allowing mourners to come to terms with the death of their loved one is an opportunity to get closure. Seeing the body helps mourners face the fact that death has truly occurred and that their loved ones are not suffering or in pain anymore. To many mourners, having an open casket helps them with their mourning process.
THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT CHOOSING AN OPEN CASKET
While choosing an open casket is completely up to the family or the deceased’s wishes, there are several things people should consider about an open casket at a funeral service for a loved one.
DATE OF THE FUNERAL SERVICE
In some situations, a funeral might not happen for weeks until after a person died. This often occurs if they were out of the area and have to be transported. Also, if the majority of the family has to fly in from somewhere else, then more funeral planning might be needed, which means the funeral service date is pushed back further. In these cases, it would be better to have a closed casket service.
THE CONDITION OF THE BODY
There might be instances where it’s not appropriate to see the state of the body due to extreme weight loss from sickness or some form of trauma. Thus, the funeral attendees really wouldn’t be seeing the image of the person they remembered. In this case, a closed casket might be a better idea.
RELIGIOUS SERVICE MIGHT WARRANT IT
Some religious faiths prefer to have a closed or open casket. The family’s wishes should be considered here, but what the deceased would have wanted because of their faith should also be taken into account.
WISHES OF THE DECEASED
As with all funeral arrangements, taking into account the wishes of the deceased must be remembered and honored. As with reason two, even if the deceased wished to have an open casket, there may be extenuating circumstances that make having an open casket impossible.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT AN OPEN CASKET FUNERAL
If it is your first time attending an open-casket funeral, you may have questions and wish to prepare yourself before you arrive. The family may let guests know ahead of time that there will be an open casket. When visiting, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- There will be a dedicated area to view the casket. Not everyone feels comfortable viewing an open casket, and most funeral homes plan for this in advance. This means that if you are not comfortable viewing the body there will likely be seating for you away from the casket. Some funeral homes have two rooms for visitation, one with the casket and one with seating only. However, this is not always the case, so you should prepare to be in the same room as the open casket even if you sit towards the back.
- The individual will look like they are sleeping. Most people wondering about what to expect at an open casket funeral have questions regarding what the body will look like. The person will be in a casket that is either half or fully open, likely with their hands crossed in front of them and their eyes closed. It will look like they are sleeping. The family generally chooses what clothing the individual will wear, often a more formal attire such as a suit or dress for women.
- Everyone reacts differently. All funerals are emotional times, and open-casket funerals can be particularly challenging for some guests. Everyone reacts differently, and it is important to recognize that there is no wrong way to feel when you are at a funeral. Some people may openly cry, while others appear to have a more calm demeanor. Each person processes grief differently.
OPEN-CASKET FUNERAL ETIQUETTE
For open casket funerals, the body is often embalmed, dressed up, and made up to give a life-like appearance. It is important to self-check your emotions at the moment, as this can be very overwhelming. 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.
DO stand by the casket and get closer. You don’t want the family to feel as if you’re grossed out by their loved one. If you don’t feel comfortable, don’t go towards the casket and remain seated.
DON’T make any comments on their appearance. Remember, they won’t look exactly the same as they did when they were alive. Refrain from commenting.
DO give family space. When there’s a viewing, many family members won’t be able to separate themselves from the casket, give them the space they need, and don’t try to push through the guests.
OPEN CASKET VS CLOSED CASKET FUNERALS
There are several differences between open-casket and closed-casket funerals, and it is best to know what to prepare yourself for. Additionally, if you have children with you, particularly if it is their first funeral attendance, you will want to know how to explain to them what is happening.
- At an open-casket funeral, the body of the deceased will be visible. At a closed-casket funeral you will not be able to see the body, but the deceased will be inside the casket. At open-casket funerals, sometimes the casket is fully open, allowing you to see the whole person’s body, while sometimes only the top half is open, allowing you to view the torso and face.
- An open-casket funeral requires that the body goes through the process of embalming. If the funeral is closed casket, the body may not go through this process.
- Religious considerations may affect whether a funeral is open casket or closed casket. For example, Islam and some sects of Judaism do not approve of open viewings.
- An open casket may provide the opportunity for loved ones to say one final goodbye, while for others having a closed casket provides a sense of closure. This decision is deeply personal.
- You may choose to have a closed casket service yet provide time for immediate family members and close friends to view the casket open for one final goodbye.
- The event of seeing the body of a deceased loved one may impact individuals in different ways, particularly children.
- If a family chooses not to have an open-casket funeral, there may not be a casket present at the visitation at all. Sometimes, families choose to display photos of their loved one instead.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are many common questions regarding open casket funerals, what to expect, and what happens both before and after the main visitation. While each funeral is personalized and unique to the deceased and their family, there are a few general pieces of information to keep in mind.
Question: Can you open a casket after it is closed?
Answer: Yes, you can open a casket after it is closed. Some individuals choose to have a closed casket service for visitation and gather the immediate family and close friends in a private room directly following for one last viewing. Traditional caskets come with a simple lock that the funeral home can open upon request.
Question: Why do people choose to have open-casket funerals?
Answer: Choosing to have an open-casket funeral is a deeply personal decision and is ultimately one that comes down to what the family feels is best or what the deceased outlines in their final wishes when pre-planning funeral arrangements. Many individuals choose to have an open casket to allow friends and loved ones the chance to say goodbye and to see the individual one final time. Many people find that this helps them find closure and provides them with a sense of peace.
Question: Why are some caskets only half open at the viewing?
Answer: There are two types of caskets, half-couch and full-couch. The half-couch casket is the most popular type in America, and it has a segmented top. This is the kind of casket you see at an open casket service when just the top half of the body is visible. On a full-couch casket, the lid is only one single piece, meaning that if it is open during a viewing, you will be able to see the entire body.
There are several reasons you may see a casket half open, as opposed to either entirely open or entirely closed. First, the circumstances surrounding death may play a role in how much of the body is shown. If the bottom half of the body is injured or deformed in any way the family will likely choose a half-couch casket to allow for an open viewing. Full-couch caskets are much more common in closed-casket funerals. Ultimately, it comes down to the model and style of casket the deceased or the family select.
KEEP IN MIND
It is very common to become overwhelmed when viewing your loved one’s body. If you want to view the body, but are unsure of your reaction, ask another friend or family member to walk with you for emotional support. Also, if you don’t think you can handle the emotional experience, it’s understandable that you don’t want to see the body again. Remember, each mourner has their way of paying their respects to the dead and saying goodbye, you don’t have to see the body.
CONTACT US TODAY
If you have any questions about the funeral you are planning in the South Florida area, including if there should be a closed or open casket, talk with the people at The Gardens of Boca Raton Cemetery & Funeral Services or Boca Raton Funeral Home. They serve Broward County, Dade County, and Palm Beach County. You can call them at (561)693-0399 or visit The Gardens offices in Boca Raton on North Military Trail.
Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and our Funeral Director is always on-call for any emergent needs. Whether you are in the process of pre-planning funeral arrangements or are in immediate need, the funeral specialists at The Gardens of Boca Raton are here for you and your loved ones.
