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A guide to caskets, coffins, and funeral practices to make service planning easier
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Funeral traditions vary widely from culture to culture, including how the body of the departed is displayed. Some show or cover the entire body while some choose to only cover the legs—but why? In this article, we’ll explain the variety of spiritual and practical reasons to cover the departed’s lower body, as well as the types of caskets used for viewing ceremonies and the factors that influence the type you might choose for a deceased loved one. Death may not be everyone’s favorite topic, but demystifying the funeral process can help bring you peace while you cope with the loss of someone dear to you.
Things You Should Know
- The most common reasons to cover a person’s legs in a casket are to keep focus on their face and to follow cultural, regional, or religious traditions.
- Half-couch caskets have split lids that shield the lower half of the body and are common choices for loved ones planning an open-casket service.
- Choose whichever type of casket that suits your personal preference, budget, or cultural customs when planning a service for a loved one.
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References
- ↑ https://www.mcdougalfuneralhomes.com/covered-legs-in-caskets-respect-dignity-swelling
- ↑ https://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/how-is-a-body-placed-in-a-casket-for-viewing.html
- ↑ https://www.grunge.com/1078100/why-only-the-upper-half-of-the-deceased-is-usually-shown-for-an-open-casket-viewing/
- ↑ https://www.funeralbasics.org/understanding-half-couch-versus-full-couch-caskets/
- ↑ https://www.mcdougalfuneralhomes.com/covered-legs-in-caskets-respect-dignity-swelling
- ↑ https://www.funeralbasics.org/understanding-half-couch-versus-full-couch-caskets/
- ↑ https://www.exploreforensics.co.uk/how-is-a-body-placed-in-a-casket-for-viewing.html
- ↑ https://www.mcdougalfuneralhomes.com/covered-legs-in-caskets-respect-dignity-swelling
- ↑ https://www.funeralbasics.org/understanding-half-couch-versus-full-couch-caskets/
- ↑ https://www.funeralhelpcenter.com/difference-split-vs-full-couch-casket/
- ↑ https://www.iflscience.com/caskets-were-invented-to-avoid-a-vulgar-feature-of-coffins-65934
- ↑ https://www.funeralbasics.org/understanding-half-couch-versus-full-couch-caskets/
- ↑ https://casketquestions.com/can-caskets-be-reopened/
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