Comments on: Funeral Photography: What Are Your Thoughts?

By: learningthelight

learningthelight — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:35:05 +0000

Thanks a lot for your thoughts, and for the fantastic photo that accompanies this post. It’s interesting to hear how funerals can be so vastly different depending on where you are in the world, and the culture of the deceased. I’m sure family members did appreciate you taking such superb photos – memories of a sad event, yes, but memories of a very important occasion, that many people can’t attend but would love to be able to. The more I think about it, the more I do see that photography should have an important role to play at a funeral, especially if family and friends all want it to happen.

By: dsb nola

dsb nola — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:37:24 +0000

I’ve shot several funerals, including the one in the picture that runs with the post above (follow the link to my photostream and you’ll see on the front page sets of several jazz funerals). But I’m in New Orleans, so funerals here sometimes include a brass bands and a second-line parade. Besides jazz funerals, I also took pictures at my wife’s grandmother’s funeral which didn’t feature a brass band or any dancing. Even so, family members really appreciated that I took pictures–I think it made it easier for folks to share the experience with other family who couldn’t attend. That said, I think a jazz funeral is a uniquely dignified and deeply moving experience which has made clear to me that any funeral should be: 1) a celebration of the life lost, and 2) a celebration of the lives that remain. Photography can play an important role in both of these celebrations.

By: learningthelight

learningthelight — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:03:25 +0000

Hi Kenny, thanks for your input. I agree with you, if someone wants the funeral professionally photographed, then I don’t see why they shouldn’t be able to. Although I’m sure some funeral attendess might find the presence of a photographer a little shocking, if the close family members want it done, then I definitely think why not. Perhaps it may seem morbid on first reflection, but to have some quality, respectful photos of the event to look back on actually seems quite beautiful to me.

By: Kenny Howse

Kenny Howse — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:07:23 +0000

I’ve agonized over this for quite some time and can see both sides of the argument, some see it as morbid or macabre and others see it as just another milestone in someone’s life which should be recorded for posterity. In some parts of the world such as Holland and Finland it is commonplace and popular and of course in others it is taboo. My personal view is that if the nearest and dearest to the deceased person wants the funeral recorded in images then I see no reason why he or she should not be able to employ a photographer to do this. Provided it is done discreetly and sensitively and is seen as a ‘celebration’ of someone’s life, then why not?