Freeman Brothers was first established as a funeral director in Horsham, West Sussex, in 1855. The company now has a further three offices across the county – in Billingshurst, Crawley and Hurstpierpoint – and prides itself on high standards of service. Becky recently witnessed a discussion about closed coffin viewings via social media, and we thought that it would be an important topic to cover here…
Whether or not to visit in the chapel of rest with a person who has died is not a simple choice, and the general concept is beyond the scope of this post. Today, we’ll be discussing why a funeral director might recommend that you visit with a closed coffin and, should you choose to go ahead, how to make this as meaningful an experience as an open coffin viewing.
Prior to working for Freeman Brothers, I hadn’t been aware that a funeral director might recommend a closed coffin viewing, but once I learned more, I thought that it made sense. At Freeman Brothers, each Deceased person who is brought into our care is looked after as though they were our own friend or family member. The greatest of care is taken in order to facilitate chapel visits, however, even in these circumstances, the condition of a Deceased person may gradually start to change.
When we are aware that people wish to visit with a Deceased person, we will aim to ensure that this could happen as soon as possible, so that the person is likely to still be in the best condition. Unfortunately, there can be circumstances outside of our control which mean that this cannot happen.
The condition of a Deceased person is often linked to the manner in which they died – those who have been involved in a road incident, for example, can be affected by this. The longer it has been since the person died, their condition will probably be worse, and if a Coroner needs to investigate the death that will take time and may involve examination of the body, both of which can impact someone’s appearance.
These are not the only instances during which we would be likely to advise against an open coffin visit, but they are some common examples. Many people find it challenging to visit with a loved one under any circumstances, and our experience has shown us that this can be exacerbated if the condition of the Deceased person is not what they had hoped it would be. Therefore, there are instances in which we advise against open coffin viewings, and instead offer to facilitate closed coffin visits.
What will happen when I visit with a closed coffin?
As with every funeral, whether there is visiting or not, we will fully prepare the Deceased person prior to your arrival – they will be washed and dressed in either clothing you have provided, or a closing set, which is a simple gown. The coffin lid will be placed on top of the coffin, so that you cannot see inside it, and the coffin will be positioned in the chapel of rest.
When you arrive, a member of our team will show you to the chapel, and leave you to spend as much time as you wish in there, letting us know when you are ready to leave. There is no obligation to stay for a particular length of time – some people stay for a minute or two, others much longer, there is no right or wrong here.
What else can I do when visiting with a closed coffin?
Whilst you won’t be able to see or touch the Deceased person, you are more than welcome to say some words, read, or even sing if you like! All of these activities are very normal whether the coffin is open or closed. Many people like to use this as a chance to say a literal final goodbye, and we are pleased to facilitate you doing so.
We also welcome you leaving items with us to add to the coffin on your behalf. In the instance of a closed coffin, letters and photos are particularly popular. Plastic or metal items cannot be cremated, and it is important to remember that anything added to a coffin cannot be returned to you later, so providing you bear this in mind, we are willing to support you in this.
It’s also worth noting that a closed coffin is also something that a visitor is able to request themselves. Even in circumstances when you have been advised that the Deceased person is suitable to view, we are happy for you to let us know that you would like to visit with a closed coffin instead, and will ensure that the chapel is prepared accordingly should this be your wish.
Closed coffin visits – a final thought
As mentioned previously, we do not take the decision to advise about closed coffin visits lightly, as we know how important visiting in the chapel is to many people. We hope that you choose to trust our many years of expertise in this regard, and that you understand we will do whatever we can to help you.
If you have any questions prior to or after a death, we are happy to help.
