My dad died of a heart attack before I was able to get to the hospital. Once there, I asked for a few minutes alone with him and I said my goodbyes ending with a hug and kiss. His body was only a few hours dead, so he did look like he was just sleeping. He smelled like my dad too...whatever he used in his hair will always remind me of him.
Anyway, at the funeral, he was the wrong color, his hair was done way wrong, and his expression was off. He was an organ donor, and his corneas went to someone (we got a card later saying so) so his eyes were not quite right bulgewise either. I decided right then and there that there would be none of this open casket business for me. Just lots of pictures of me when I was alive, and food. LOTS of food
This was confirmed when I went to both of my grandparents funerals, they just don't even look like THEM, so why have the damn thing there anyway?? All I have now is this memory of their dead body. I didn't want to look, but I figured everyone else would see it as a sign of disrespect if I didn't walk by the casket with everyone. Now, I am old enough to know I can just say "no thanks, I prefer to remember X as they were". Screw 'em if they think I'm being rude. :p
07-19-2005, 12:23 PM
Threaded Mode