Padraic Cawley on rituals of the Irish funeral

Centuries old rituals of the traditional Irish funeral

The coronavirus pandemic has caused upheavals in many aspects of life, but perhaps none more than in the ritual of death.

They say the Irish “do death well.” But for people mourning the dead now, there will be no traditional Irish funeral. Funerals are a deeply ingrained part of Ireland’s culture. Hundreds typically attend funeral services and it’s not unimaginable for 1,000 people to file in to churches, crematoria and funeral homes over the course of the two-day ritual to shake hands — “sympathize” — with bereaved family members. At the wake, people eat, drink and tell stories; there is often an open casket, and friends and neighbours will line up to say a last prayer or goodbye. These are rituals that go back centuries and they are firmly established in the national psyche. People talk of “getting a great send-off.”

Ireland may have a relatively low death count from COVID-19 in comparison with other countries, but the epidemic is nonetheless changing how the country mourns. Death notices in the local paper or online no

By Padraic Cawley Civil Funeral Celebrant

longer include funeral details. With attendees limited to 10 people, no one outside the immediate family can go to them anyway. Condolence books and sympathy cards are no longer allowed, pens and paper being just another source of potential transmission for the virus.

Crematorium services are now limited to one time slot, and currently restricted to 10 mourners, and larger families are having to decide who attends. One positive is that technology can provide some comfort by recording or live streaming a service for the wider family and friends to view, and in a small way feel included in the proceedings. While some may feel that posting a death on social media may be tacky, it is now so common, that maybe right now as we are all stuck at home, it is the best we can do.

As an industry, the funeral profession is one of caring, of giving, and of doing our utmost to assist and ensure that every family gets the best possible service. It is just so heartbreaking to witness a family’s grief, and it goes against the grain when we are restricted in what we can offer. As a celebrant, I am very conscious of ensuring that every family gets the dignified and meaningful celebration of their loved ones life that they deserve, within the short time slot.

Hopefully, as the restrictions ease we will get back in some way to doing what we Irish do best when it comes to death. None of us want to see the ‘Death of the Irish funeral’

Mourners who were unable to attend a service, sent flowers instead to be placed on the pews, to shine love in their absence, supporting the grieving family in a very visible and tangible way

rough our own personal experience we received the inspiration to set up Treasured Keepsakes, to give people a wide variety of options upon a loved one’ s passing should they choose to keep a lock of hair, cremated remains, a piece of jewellery, a photograph or anything that is a personal reminder of their loved one in a small keepsake, keepsake pendant or urn.

Funeral directors we are currently working with have tailored our service to suit their needs. We have two options of how our service can work for you. If you wish you can buy our products from us at a wholesale price and sell them directly to your clients. Alternatively we can o er this service to your clients directly.

We would hope that by recommending our service we will enhance and add value to your business at no extra cost to you.

For more information contact us or visit our website

Working within guidelines

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected practically every aspect of normal, everyday life. Some have seen minor changes while certain parts of what we have taken for granted for years have seen fundamental change. One of these hugely affected areas is funerals. The death of a loved one or friend is something that everyone has to face at some point along life’s journey and the rituals we observe at such times are precious to us, sacred even. Having so many of these comforting and reassuring rituals taken from us has made these past months so much more difficult and painful for so many. It has fallen to funeral directors around the world, and certainly here at home, to find ways to work in tandem with Government guidelines and within the necessary health and safety restrictions to allow the bereaved to mark the passing of their loved one with dignity and respect and to allow each funeral to be a true, albeit different commemoration of the deceased individual.

Here at Lakelands Crematorium, we have been very aware of the challenges our global situation has presented us, and we have sought new and imaginative ways to faithfully, but safely arrange each cremation. As has always been the case, we have sought to work with funeral directors who come to us for cremation services in responding to the bereaved Lakelands Crematorium, Co. Cavan

family and friends’ wishes. This can mean streaming the service online from our crematorium through our webcam or having the service recorded so that a copy of it can be shared with the family afterwards. Using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, we’ve been able to connect with family members who’ve been unable to journey to the service, so that they might speak and share memories and reflections of their loved one. In the same way, in certain, more restricted cases, we’ve been able to allow clergy and civil celebrants to offer prayers and words of consolation, even when they’ve been unable to be here in person. We have felt it especially important at this time to be able to open our doors to immediate family members and close friends, and although the numbers allowed at our services by Government guidelines have been greatly restricted, we know how important it is for even a small number to be able to be present on their loved ones final journey, just as they themselves acknowledge the importance of being able to represent the wider circle of loved ones who would be there in normal circumstances.

Naturally, we have followed all social distancing protocols within the crematorium, as well as offering hand sanitising stations, both for visitors and our staff, who have had access to PPE from the very beginning, from gloves and masks to full body protection when needed. We have worked in conjunction with, and have supported our local Churches in their efforts during this difficult time and these efforts have been deeply appreciated by those who have had to come to us during this time. We will continue to help all who come here to the best of our ability until such time as our old ways can return, with the wakes at home, time for viewing and sympathising and the Mass or Service in the church or chapel. In the absence of a sympathetic handshake or a reassuring hug, the need for an open ear and an understanding heart is felt all the more. In ways both professional and personal, we will continue to offer such support here at Lakelands Crematorium.

McAllister Cars Specialist Coachbuilders

McAllister Cars is a family owned and operated business who have been trading within the funeral sector for over 35 years. During this period of time the company has developed an awareness of the funeral professions needs when it comes to funeral vehicles. We have put our expertise into developing a range of vehicles for the modern day Funeral director from our private ambulance removal vehicles fi tted with our easy bearer rise and fall lifting system to our selection of ceremonial vehicles. The latest being the Mercedes W213 based hearse and limousine. We can also supply alternative vehicles such as the Mercedes Vito ceremonial vehicle which can be fi tted with a single or double deck system in the customers choice of fi nish.

Here at McAllister Cars we dedicate time and effort into ensuring that the design and range of options available in all of our funeral vehicles match the individual needs and desires of the client to suit their business.

Easy Bearer II Lifting System and ADR Antibacterial Lining Kit is the most technologically advanced private ambulance conversion within the funeral industry, built from stainless steel and fi tted with the lining kit makes it easy to clean and available for most vehicles.

Mercedes Vito Ceremonial Vehicle An alternative option to the traditional hearse it has a full size deck with removable bearer boards, it can be fi tted with a single or double deck system in customers choice of fi nish.