usken65

I was offered the job of photographing a funeral. I turned it down. What I'm asking is am I the only one who thinks that's odd?

tsilva Loc: Arizona

Probably not, but you should have shot it. Many people can't make it to a funeral and pictures are their only memories.

Didereaux Loc: Swamps of E TX

Nothing at all wrong with the job. Biggest concern is fro the photographer to NOT be intrusive.

bearcat

I have always photographed funerals, not professionally, but as a friend or family member.

Many of the family or friends that did or even did not attend appreciate the reminder of a loved one and the respectful ceremony involved.

My wife video taped my father's funeral with full Military honors. I made DVD's and sent them to family members who wanted them who couldn't be there and also to people that were.

My niece took photos of the memorial service but focused on the people attending and the flowers and such. She used discretion and avoided the open casket.

I ask you, have you ever watched a televised funeral of some politician or star? Why is it such a big deal?

Does anyone deserve any less remembrance?

If you feel uncomfortable, then don't do it, but remember this is not for you... it's for the family.

BC

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

I recently photographed a military funeral. One of the best things I have ever done. Granted, a military funeral has a lot more color than a traditional one, but it is a great gift to the family in any case. You shoulda done it.

Didereaux Loc: Swamps of E TX

:thumbup:

Leitz Loc: Solms

Can you say why you think it's odd?

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

It may have seemed strange to you but obviously not for the person asking.
You let your own hang-ups get in your way! ;-)
SS

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Think of a funeral as the celebration of somebody's life in a positive sense, so long as it is organized in that way. It is just another occasion on the journey of life -like a birth or a wedding- which has a beginning, a middle and an end. Capturing the good stuff is important.

Burying my parents wasn't that hard, they had pretty good long lives, but still an important and emotional journey, and the record after the fact has huge emotional and supportive value.

Burying my brother was a lot harder, but he wanted to go out in style. My wife was asked to video the occasion, which she did although instead of participating she was working. That was her contribution to paying respect, and she did an outstanding job.

It was an eclectic event, including a six mile funeral procession around the outskirts of London, my brother in a horse drawn hearse at his request, and led by a vintage steam powered fairground engine. That got a reaction! The ceremony included more than just family, his BBC radio colleagues, professional musicians, the London Flamenco community, the gliding club community, and the steam engine community. I was the only one that could link all of those things together. My eulology which I spent the entire night researching and writing was the best tribute that I could give. I poured everything that I had into it. My wife captured it all.

Go take photographs. Do your very, very best, and consider that your way of paying your best respects. Something that others may not be able to do.

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

great job, client cant complain about pic's, go there when no one else is around, arrange it with director, shoot and gone

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Err the client id probably not the deceased, and if it was, I wouldn't want to be the cause for complaint!

Leitz Loc: Solms

Joe, no one is going to pay for pictures of just the casket and flowers!

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Not that odd. Here is one of W. Eugene Smith's best know photographs.
http://www.masters-of-photography.com/S/smith/smith_wake_full.html

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

i know of 3 people who paid, there grandparents were in there 90, and a large family most out of town..

Leitz Loc: Solms

Do you mean just the casket and flowers, and not the funeral?