As a mortuary science student well on her way towards becoming a licensed Funeral Director, a plethora of information has been presented in class on the subject of viewings and visitation during the funeral process.  For the most part, including a visitation as part of the funeral package may seem standard.  However, there are a number of families who opt for a direct cremation or direct burial with no visitation whatsoever.  This leaves the Funeral Director with several questions: Why no visitation?  Is the family trying to save money?  Do they think no one will attend?  Does the family live across the country and cannot travel so far for a funeral?  These are important questions that, when answered, may help funeral directors more fully understand the needs and wants of their families.

    As a former student of anthropology, much of the curriculum I studied centered on family life and structure, and I believe I have some insight on the aforementioned questions.  Prior to the Industrial Revolution, it was difficult for people to break away from a traditional agricultural lifestyle to move into cities and away from their families.  In the event of a death, it was relatively effortless for a viewing and funeral to be held in the company of the extended family and probably the entire community. 

    After the Industrial Revolution, it was possible for people to become neo-local; that is, they were able to leave home to migrate to new locations for work and to start a family.  Many young people could abandon the farm life and leave their family to move to a city, often many miles away.  In the generations after, this practice became fairly normal and would explain why today people have relatives all over the country, or even the world.

    The issue to address now is what kind of an effect does this have on today’s funerals?  Family members that live outside of a decedent’s home state often have to travel in for the funeral.  Sometimes this option can prove too expensive if a flight is required, and some family members may opt not to attend the funeral. 

    Another factor that influences the funeral is the structure of the family.  Some people may be estranged from certain family members, and may choose not to attend a funeral for that person.  In addition, today there are a higher proportion of mixed families with step-parents and step-children.  This may have an effect on who attends the viewing, or perhaps there would be a separate viewing for each side of the family.

    Finally, I believe that viewings have declined in number as a direct consequence of how busy Americans are.  Sad as it may be, many people probably feel they are just too busy to grieve and attending a viewing will only prolong the process.  Generally, workplaces are accommodating in the event of a death; but in reality, the employee will only have a day or two that they (or their place of employment) feel is appropriate to be absent from work.  I also believe that people today are self-oriented rather than family- oriented, and may be too focused on their own packed schedules to spend a decent amount of time at a viewing or even a funeral.

    So how could I, as a Funeral Director, stress the importance of and encourage viewings?  First of all, the viewing is a great opportunity for families to come together and share in their grief, especially families that do not often get to see each other often.  Additionally, the benefits to those closest to the decedent are great.  The bereaved will be comforted by the presence of people who can lend their support and condolences.  The process of grieving will be easier on everyone involved and there is more of a chance that the family members will reach the acceptance stage.

Scholarship Runner-Up Spring 2008

Krista Jobe