Is lying in state a closed coffin?

[GreenGreenGrassBlue]

I’m from a country where all our funerals are open coffin so we follow that culture here too and bring the body home for family and friends to visit. I’m assuming it’s a closed coffin due to the number of days for the Queen?

I've been to open casket funerals (Orthodox) and it was beautiful. However, the people at those knew and loved the deceased person. It is very different if someone whose tradition did not include this had it happen to them after death and it was also broadcast around the globe. I very much think that applies to the late Queen.

Open coffins are just not the done thing in standard c of e funerals. I appreciate it is common in some other cultures and religions. I had a conversation with colleagues recently and no one else had seen a dead person, I saw my grandfather and really wished I hadn't.

I have been to several open casket funerals in England, including one of a child, mostly from families from West African culture. At first, before attending, I found it strange and if I’m honest a bit frightening. However the reality was very different, calming, and very respectful. It was as if you were encouraged to see that there was no monster in death, only a harmless, peaceful shell. There was certainly no “gawping”. OP was not disrespectful to ask, it some cultures it is a mark of respect.

There's nothing wrong with open caskets, or with closed caskets. The traditions of those most affected should be respected.

The difference in our religion and culture is we bury those who have passed asap, the same day if possible. This is why it’s the last time to pay your respects, say prayers, etc. not gawp as it’s the last time you see them. Not saying it should be done for the Queen, just don’t get peoples horror at viewing a body. That’s why you have fear as death is taboo and not normalised when it should be.

But this is exactly what happens with the deaths of heads of state in other cultures. You don't have to like it, you don't have to understand it, but there is no need to be rude about it.

Many of us have held loved ones hands and kissed them goodbye in their coffins. We've also passed silently by the open coffins of people we knew less well, solemn and respectful. Your posts are hugely insulting.

I worked at a crematorium for many years - of the the thousands of funerals I've overseen only one was an open casket, it's not the done thing here in England. YANBU OP for asking the question and don't know why you're getting so much negativity. Death is still very taboo for many.

I live in Northern Ireland where it is very normal to bring the body home or visit at the funeral home, going in to pay last respects before the funeral service commences. Whoever wants to visits the body and says their final goodbye and they drill the casket closed there and then and bring it out with the lid closed for the funeral service.

But, this all takes place 2-3 days after the person has died. I think the custom in England is more like 2-3 weeks from death to burial? Which might be why it's less common to have an open casket at funerals.

Very well put. In Ireland it is also very common, It just is not in UK anymore. Can see how it was calming for sure. Back 70 years ago people were laid out in their front rooms in the UK but not anymore. There are no right or wrongs. Interesting conversations and experiences though.

Quite a lot of people advised me not to go to the chapel of rest, even though I sat with dad for about 90 mins after he died. I really went to make sure everything was ship shape and Bristol fashion. Plus I think he'd have wanted me to do that.

My mother probably shouldn't have gone, she found it dreadful. I think it's common for people to wish they hadn't seen their deceased loved one. I'm sorry for your experience.

It was the worst thing I ever did. It was like seeing a complete stranger or an android and I've never got the image out of my mind.

I’ve only seen an open coffin once, a friend died and his wife had him at home in an open coffin until the day of his funeral. We all walked past the coffin as we headed to the cars outside, the coffin was then closed by the undertaker after the last viewer left. No one gawped, we kept moving, some people placed a flower in the coffin but it was done without fuss.

Plenty off people here in UK have open coffins, completely understand why the royals don't tho.

Wasn't the Queen mother in an open casket ?? I seem to remember that people queued up to see her body

Wasn't the Queen mother in an open casket ?? I seem to remember that people queued up to see her body

No, she wasn't.

Not a chance open caskets would be something adopted by our Royal Family. I’ve seen it in some countries for large state funerals, and there are literally thousands of people queuing to look at them. Many of those people are doing it for mawkish reasons, no doubt about it. And you will get people behaving inappropriately, especially with cameras. It’s just not worth the risk. It’s just not how we do things generally by the majority in the U.K.

Her coffin on a catafalque with her jewels as Queen on top, candles and guards at the corners. Not her body.

Don’t worry at all. You asked a question respectfully.

when Edward VII died, Queen Alexandra, who was Danish, had photos taken of him lying in his coffin. These were given to family. The British Court were kind of taken aback, but that was her tradition, and her right.

Maybe not the done thing at the funeral but open casket at the home is very much done we done it with my dad he was home the day b4 with open coffin.

This is what mum said about her country of origin. Another moment where she's so glad she came here and was allowed to.

a good moment to say - god save the king.

I still can't get my head round that, so I'll also say god bless our queen.

Death is taboo for most people I think. If you have a faith you follow which promises an afterlife or similar, death isn’t feared. But most of us believe that once you’re gone, you’re gone. And so it’s not something people generally like to dwell on or speak about. It’s frightening to feel,you won’t see your loved ones again, and will be gone for eternity.

Back 70 years ago people were laid out in their front rooms in the UK but not anymore

my grandmother died in 1981, and her coffin was kept in her bedroom in the house. The service was also in the house (we hired the chairs from the Coop) the undertakers brought down the coffin and then we went to the graveyard.

i think it was pretty unusual by then and I’ve not been to any other funerals with the service in the house, but that was what she wanted.

I'm not one for an open casket but can understand where the question has come from. I've no idea what happens when a monarch dies in the UK having never lived through it. Plenty heads of states have open caskets @MrsDanversGlidesAgain so I don't know why you are so offended by the question.

If you ever go to Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh can still be seen in an open casket years after he died.

Both my grandfathers died in the same Easter holidays when I was 15. My parents did not allow me to go to their funerals as it was not a done thing.

When my FIL passed a few years ago (USA, Roman Catholic), he had a visitation with open coffin the day before the funeral and committal. TBH, I looked upon it as a money-making gesture by the funeral directors. The book, "The American Way of Death" would support this view. It's an ingrained practice, however.

As a church verger, I go to lots of funerals, and just think that the Church of England liturgy is the right way to send the deceased onto their final journey.