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I lived in Jamaica for a while, and open-coffin funerals are pretty much the norm, and this tradition is the same for the UK Jamaican funerals I know of. A couple of years ago I went to a Catholic church where the coffin of a much-loved priest was being received into the church until his funeral. The coffin lid was removed and he was thereafter on display for all to pay their respects, and he was clothed in his vestments. I also know of many Irish [Catholic] families where the open coffin is at home prior to the funeral, but for the funeral itself the coffin is usually closed. Hope that helps. Sarah James Lecturer in Education Centre for Educational Studies University of Hull, UK -----Original Message----- From: The Social Context of Death, Dying and Disposal of the Dead [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Stobert, Mark Sent: 03 August 2011 09:58 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Display of bodies at funerals. It is not uncommon practice for the coffin to be opened in the house prior to travelling to the funeral. Commonly in many households the funeral director will brings the coffin in to the house from the hearse for prayers to be said. Some families request that the coffin be open. Also it has been my experience that at West Indian funerals mourners will file past the open coffin in the church. Mark Mark Stobert Chaplaincy Team Leader Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust, Russells Hall Hospital, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 2HQ. T.N 01384 456111 ex 2352 sec. 2712 Mobile 07786 510217 This electronic mail, including any attachments, is strictly confidential and intended solely for the addressee. The opinions expressed in this email are those of the individual, and are not necessarily the views of The Dudley Group of Hospitals NHS Trust. This communication may contain information protected by law from being passed on or circulated. If you are not the intended recipient and have received this email in error, you are advised that any use, printing, copying, forwarding or distribution of this email is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. Please inform the sender that this message has gone astray before deleting it. -----Original Message----- From: The Social Context of Death, Dying and Disposal of the Dead [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Joan Cameron Sent: 03 August 2011 08:34 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Display of bodies at funerals. Dear Stephen I went to a several funerals in London of African colleagues. They were all open coffin funerals and the whole body was visible. Joan Cameron Dr Joan Cameron Senior Lecturer & Lead Midwife for Education University of Dundee School of Nursing and Midwifery 11 Airlie Place Dundee DD1 4HJ Tel: +44 (0)1382 388531 ************************************************************ Please consider the environment. Do you really need to print this email? >>> Stephen White <[log in to unmask]> 03/08/2011 07:54 >>> 1. Has anyone been to a person's funeral where their dead body was open to view? If so what part of the body could be seen? 2. What cultural or religious groups in the UK do (or would if they could) display dead bodies at funerals and which parts of the body do (would) they show? 3. When was the last time (if ever) when part of the body of a royal personage was displayed during a lying in state in the UK? 4. Have any surveys been done of display of bodies at funerals in the UK? -- Stephen White ([log in to unmask]) 69 Murhill Research Fellow Limpley Stoke Department of Theology and Religion Bath Durham University Wiltshire Visiting Lecturer, Cardiff Law School BA2 7FQ. Cardiff University 01225 722429 The University of Dundee is a registered Scottish charity, No: SC015096