Professional photographer at a funeral

[Anonomum14]

I just recently heard that someone hired a professional photographer for their husbands funeral (30yr old - sudden/unexpected) large turnout.
I'm not judging their decision, I have just never ever heard of this. Would you consider this? Is this what people do now? Is it a trend? Personally I don't think I would, just wondering what others think about it.

It's not something which was suggested by the funeral director when I arranged my dad's funeral, and not something I have come across at other funerals I have attended recently.

It hasn't occurred to me, but family funerals are one of the few occasions we've managed to get everyone together over the past few years

I'm not sure if I were a grieving family member I'd want someone there taking pictures of my grief...

We had a beautiful film made of my Dads funeral which was very special ( beautiful location for burial) but it was mainly because it was during Covid so many people were unable to attend including some of his children.

I find it distasteful.

My FIL employed a professional videographer for my MIL's funeral... I'm not sure if anyone has ever wanted to re-watch it.

I think that is lovely in some ways for the reason Whataretheoddssays, although I would hate for funerals to become commercialised in the same way as weddings. My ex had photos of the flowers and service sheet at his parents’ funerals, I am not sure if there were also photos of the guests.
I think the photographer would have to be sensitive though. Who wants a camera up close when they are crying?

I suppose it depends on the type of funeral, many cultures and religions around the world have much more of a celebration of life. I can see a place for a videographer in that instance.

#@Anonomum14

I think 🤔 if this person was as popular as that large funeral probably local newspaper i would assume proberly cover it at least,

so even though it sounds quite unausaul i can see why family anticipated this kind of reaction and wanted to also memorise in this manner too..

Bloody hell that’s a new one on me. I’d find it appalling to be honest and would hate to find out there were photos of me in a vulnerable state.

I know a photographer who asked a photographer friend to photograph their child's funeral. The say that though the photographs are raw and painful, they really appreciate having them. It was a few years ago, so not sure if it's a trend. A funeral is such an important day, but so emotional that can be a blur later on, that for some people having photos to reflect on later and remember the day is special and important. And some people might want to be nowhere near a camera. Neither is wrong.

We had some family photos taken at my Mum's funeral, but not by a professional, and it was because two close relatives lived abroad and were unable to attend. It helped them feel a part of the mourning process.

I have, but only in the exactly same situation you've described (widow, sudden young husband death).

I think it was the widow's way of coping and seeing it more like a celebration of life because it feels so much more tragic than an old person dying

Agreed.

And I’m seeing funeral photos starting to creep onto Facebook now. Which I find really quite disgusting.

I think I may have been at this funeral. Sorry if this is upsetting but was it a suicide in Oxfordshire?

My neighbour asked me to film her DM's funeral for her, so she could send it on to family who couldn't be there. This was way back in 2004 and I was a bit bothered about doing it, but was glad to help her out.

Nowadays, I think it's great that funerals can be streamed so that friends and family away can be part of the ceremony, when they can't be there.

I'm on the fence about professional photographers though.

Maybe its different when a younger person dies.

If it is a genuinely a celebration of someone’s life, some photos at the wake would be something to consider, especially if funerals are a key event that gets everyone together. For those close to the deceased, the day can pass in a blur and maybe it’s nice for some to have a record of who came.

But as others have suggested, the presence of a photographer would feel like an intrusion if people were upset.

What difference does the ‘turnout ‘ make . Hundreds of people came to my dads funeral , they had to open the upstairs of the crematorium and we still didn’t have enough room - it’s not a day that I wish to look back on or remember in photographs . Unless you are streaming it for people unable to attend I see no point in having a photographer / videographer.

lapsedrdwhoenthusiast -

It wasn't this funeral x

I know life streaming funeral masses became a thing here in Ireland during Covid and it's something that's stayed. When you view the death notice it usually gives you the link but I've never heard of a photographer. I wouldn't like that at all personally. Now we did take a few group photos late in the evening after an uncles burial while we were all in the pub but certainly not photos during the funeral

I have known families organise this for the sudden unexpected death of a younger person. The younger the person the more important it may seem to gather as many memories of them as you can. Not everyone would choose this but for some families it can be what they need to do to remind themselves they did all they could to honour the person who died. TBH I have even known families make a very young child’s funeral into every possible celebration they will not get a chance to share with them too. People grieve in different ways and as a consequence do funerals in different ways.

It would never occur to me, I find that quite a distasteful thing to do. But each to their own.

I’ve not heard of this but if my husband had died at 30 I can’t even imagine what I’d be thinking. If she wants to remember or perhaps show children once they’re grown then I wouldn’t judge.

My parents next door neighbour took photos of the hearse outside the house when my mum died. We thought it was very strange, and she then asked my dad if we wanted copies of them!