Funeral Photography: Why would you?
Family photography should encompass all aspects of family life. As someone who photographed my Dad's decline into dementia and ultimately his death, I feel it is important to honour a life in death. As a Heartfelt photographer, we photograph families who suffer stillbirth and we know how important this is for families.
We need time to absorb the moment, to sit quietly, to reflect and remember. Often in our western society, we deny death. We speak about it in hushed tones. It is hidden. A revelation to me was observing how death is treated in Nepal. I observed such respect and beauty in the the Hindu ceremony at Pashupatinath Temple and wonder why, living in a western society cannot treat it in the same way.
I have photographed a death and funerals and it is a beautiful thing to do for family. Sad, yes, but as an observer and photographer it is an absolute privilege and something we should do more of to help families grieve. I have a beautiful moment at my Dad's funeral when my son is standing beside my Dad's coffin and it is very dear to me.
I just want to acknowledge and thank Eva whose mother died recently and these portraits of her Mum, Dad, family and friends are so important. When Eva called me and asked me to be the photographer for her mother's Rosary and funeral, I was very grateful. Eva's family now have a record of the ceremony and ritual of her mother's death and with the images she is making some photobooks to send to family overseas, so I applaud her and thank her.
Why would someone photograph a funeral? It is done for your future self and family. It is done for the grieving process. It is part of life. It is a time, other than a wedding, when most family will be together. It is a tangible record and document of a life and someone who was and is loved.
It is possible to photograph such beautiful events quietly and with respect; as photographers we have the technology to observe from a distance to create the gift of professional photography. I hope these few precious images of Eva's family portraits illustrates just how important it is to honour a life, in death.
