40 | March 5, 2011
The Irish Post
FUNERAL FEATURE
The Irish Post
March 5, 2011 | 41
FUNERAL FEATURE
Family revive old Irish tradition Remembering the departed, respecting the grieving A TRADITIONAL Irish mourning custom is set to be revived in a modern guise by an understanding local family. Wakes are one of the oldest and most famous of Irish customs and have been steeped in tradition. An integral part of the grieving process for family, friends and neighbours of the deceased it has traditionally provided support and comfort during what is a very sad and difficult time. Conventionally black arm bands and other symbols including diamonds were worn to distinguish people as grieving but these customs have become outdated in modern society. The family hope to assist in remembering the departed and respecting the grieving with a modern mourning cross or alternatively a nondenominational circular symbol of mourning. The mourning cross/symbol has been developed by Joanne Callan and her family, its purpose is to distinguish immediate family members of the deceased to visitors who are attending a wake or funeral. The black symbol with a dove motif signifies peace and renewal and is worn by members of the immediate family. It is presented on a black card with a poem entitled “It’s My Time” by Jacky Newcomb printed on the back of the card. Joanne said: “Mourning and the grieving process following the death of a loved one are
among the most important of traditions. The wake and the funeral are very important in this tradition. We have all attended wakes and funerals where we did not know all of the relatives of the deceased; therefore, we found it hard to identify who we should sympathise with. The situation can be at best uncomfortable and at worst embarrassing.” The concept was developed as
a result of a conversation between Joanne, her two sisters and their mother. “During the conversation one of my sisters who had been to a wake of a friend’s grandmother the previous evening explained how embarrassed she felt as a result of not being able to locate her friend and not knowing the immediate family with whom she should sympathise. The conversation continued and we
all gave examples of wakes and funerals that we had attended and had the exact same experience. “We also recalled our own family wakes and funerals where visitors knew the deceased but did not know all of the family members. We talked about the awkward whispers of people asking who was who and the stories lost about the deceased as a result of missed opportunities. “Our communities are becoming more disconnected, neighbours may no longer know each other particularly in towns and cities and it is also relevant in rural communities where family members may have moved away from the area or abroad. The problem is compounded by the fact that the wearing black as a mark of respect is becoming less traditional making it more difficult to identify who the immediate family are.” Many families regard the symbol as a keepsake to link them to the funeral ceremonies and in remembrance of the deceased. The mourning cross has been launched a number of months ago and has been very favourably received by Funeral Directors, the Clergy and the public all of whom recognise the benefits which the product brings to all involved in wakes and funeral. For further information visit www.mourningcross.com or contact Joanne on 00 353 86 3357699.
Eamonn A. Kennedy Funeral Directors ESTABLISHED in 1986 we are a small, private, independent and family-owned funeral directors who take great care of all aspects of funerals. The company is owned and run by
A Daimler DS420 hearse.
Eamonn Kennedy and his wife Geraldine, and David Scanlan who is also a very capable Funeral director. “As funeral directors we are on duty 24 hours a day, seven
days a week and 52 weeks of the year. St. Patrick’s Chapel of Rest is a small private chapel where families and friends can come to pay their respects to the deceased. If requested, the deceased can be respectfully viewed at home where this is possible. “We can cater for all types of funerals from the most basic to the most elaborate. Every funeral is carried out with great dignity and respect for the deceased and also the bereaved families. We specialise in traditional horse-drawn funerals and run a fleet of classic [old ladies] Daimler DS420 hearses and limousines which we are very proud of and of course these old ladies are no longer produced today. “We undertake a number of Irish funerals every year both in Manchester and also by repatriating human remains back to all parts of Ireland. The remains are usually transported by air from Manchester to
Dublin or Manchester to Knock. Generally, families like to travel on the same flight as the remains where possible. We have also repatriated remains to Ireland by ferry from Liverpool to Dublin and Holyhead to Dublin. “We also import coffins and caskets from Ireland and a particular favourite with the Irish people is the Last Supper Coffin. “For those thoughtful people willing and brave enough to make their own funeral arrangement before they pass away we offer prepaid funeral plans and we are agents for Golden Charter.” For personal attention with a caring, understanding and professional approach offering a full 24-hour service and private chapel of rest, please don’t hesitate to contact eamonn A. Kennedy Funeral Directors, 390 Palatine Road, Northenden, Manchester M22 4FZ. Tel: 0161 945 2097.
Natural Burial option now available in Ireland IN October 2010 The Green Graveyard Company opened Woodbrook Natural Burial Ground, Ireland’s first and only woodland burial site. Situated at the foot of the Blackstairs mountains near the village of Killane on the Wexford / Carlow border, this truly is a beautiful unspoilt natural option for those thinking about their final resting place. The entrance is via a spectacular 200 metre long avenue, surrounded on both sides by ancient chestnut trees and magnificent granite sculptures by local stone artists. A natural burial ground in its simplest form is the creation or protection of a wildlife habitat by using the burial as a conservation tool. Large marble gravemarkers and concrete surrounds on graves are excluded in favour of a small grave marker and the planting of a native Irish tree. Over time a new forest is created which is good for the environment, good for wildlife / nature and a very beautiful place for families and friends to visit and remember their loved ones. Colin Mc Ateer who runs the burial ground says: “People who know the area / grounds were first to book burial or ashes plots, however as word spread we began to receive bookings from all over the world, including a lot of enquiries from the UK”.
“We always thought that having a living, breathing, developing native Irish forest as a final resting place would appeal to some Irish living abroad, however we didn’t expect so many enquiries and bookings.
“We have been so encouraged with how Woodbrook has been received that we are planning other natural burial grounds in Ireland, we have just submitted a planning application in Co. Galway, at the foot of Knockma, the burial ground of Queen Meabh.” Different burial options are available including both burial and ashes plots. More information available on www.greengraveyard.com or by contacting 00 353 74 9152712.