Another reason is that it is traditional in many cultures to place the head on the left side. Sometimes, when the lower half of the body is covered, it can be due toorgan donation, or the deceased has donated its skin. generalized educational content about wills. The body is typically placed in the casket with the head on the left side and the feet on the right side. The decorations that the deceaseds family chose to have at the funeral are also relevant. Hey, I'm James, the founder of After Your Time. For example, it is traditional to choose a half-couch casket in the southern area of the United States. The chemicals used in the embalming process solidify the swelling, making the body stiffer and the feet hard to bend and manipulate. Useful? 7. Also, it would help if you considered multiple traditional and detailed reasons behind covering the body's leg in the casket. Post embalming, bodies are often placed without shoes; hence covering the legs is the way to offer a dignified funeral. The most common types of headstones are upright and wing headstones, slant or flat grave markers, and benches. We believe reflecting on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives. A funeral director may also advise covering the deceaseds legs to allow for flowers to be placed. As a result, mourners can see the deceaseds face better in angling the head to the left, allowing for a more personal experience. He was shot in the right ear, beat with a 45. While the funeral plays an important role in the grieving process, there is still a lot of mystery around this process. For example, a head wound or sickness that caused extreme emaciation might be the reason for a closed casket. Its even possible that some people may view bent legs as a sign the departed is uncomfortable and become upset. In some cultures, its normal to display only the head. An open-casket funeral is an opportunity to say goodbye. This warm lighting helps create a sense of ease and peace, making the deceased appear to be in a calm slumber. Go ahead, ask me anything Many people are familiar with the practice of burying a casket or shroud-covered body in the grave with the head to the west. Why Do They Cover Your Legs in a Casket. So, if the face appears calm and peaceful as if asleep, it helps the living to grieve faster, knowing their loved one is at peace. They would quickly be driven out of the industry if they did otherwise. By covering the lower half, the funeral home does not need to dedicate as much time to lighting this part of the body and can focus on the face. Why do They Cover The Legs In a Casket? Whether or not you decide to cover the legs in a casket, you can always ensure the body of your precious is treated with dignity and love. Not only does it give the deceased a dignified appearance, but it also serves to protect family members from having to view any scars or imperfections that may have been caused by a long-term . This article will detail why feet are usually covered so you can make the most appropriate choice when the time comes. While cutting off the legs did not harm the deceased, funeral personnel are bound to respect the remains. As the blood stops flowing, its common for fingers and toes to distort and change shape. There are a few reasons why the head is typically placed on the left side. By covering the legs, : These days, you can avail the services of a funeral make-up artist to make the lifeless look lifelike. If saving money is a major concern for a deceaseds family, they should consider other options. It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. If bending the knees doesnt work, then the funeral director might try to cross the bodys legs to fit in the casket. Of course, the funeral director and embalmer will never harm or twist your loved ones body to fit in a casket, but its not always a perfect fit. When you bring your casket to the grave, you usually turn your head left. [Complete Guide & Review], Are Caskets Waterproof? The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online This just shows the role culture and regional differences play in funeral practices. , the artist can solely focus on beautifying the face. Pam is dedicated to ensuring that as people are funeral planning they have access to a no-nonsense, straightforward laying out of the facts. In your moment of grief, saying the final goodbye is always the hardest. Thats not the only reason that emphasis on the deceaseds face is important. One outlandish myth is they cover legs at funerals because they break them to fit into the caskets! I assure you there is no merit in this claim. complete answer I help clients dealing with death everyday, and I hope the content on our site can do something similar for you. Even paying At Funeral Fundamentals, you'll find comprehensive information, expert advice, and thorough guides that make learning about funerals and planning a funeral a breeze. Types of Headstones: Common Designs, Materials & Costs. As of 2021, the average cost of a funeral in the United States without cremation was more than $7,000, according to the National Funeral Directors Association. If they do, they can face criminal charges and up to ten years in prison for dismembering or desecrating a dead body (depending on individual state laws). Why do they cover the legs in a casket? A lot of trust is placed in professionals in the funeral industry. This phenomenon has a number of scientific and practical explanations. Most states have laws requiring embalming if the family wants open casket services. Jenn Park-Mustacchio:I spend my time with dead bodies, cleaning them and preparing them for funerals. This is done by removing the feet or lower parts of the body to accommodate for the casket size with the approval of the family. In most cases, people will follow traditional customs when planning a funeral, and that includes covering the deceaseds legs during the viewing. The mouth can then be moved in accordance with the desired position once the jaw is securely in place. If someone donated their skin tissue after death, this is usually taken from the lower half of the body. There are a few reasons why people cover the legs in a casket. We are always looking to improve our content if you have any thoughts, feel free to let us know. Reason for Death: Death can occur for several reasons, like accidents causing trauma to the lower portion of the body. Family or churches often pass down funeral traditions. However, its important to note that embalming is not usually required. were supported by affiliate commissions. People and churches have passed down regional traditions and practices for many years. The table below shows the approach different religions generally take: The implications of presentability do not only apply to the condition of the body. We are not attorneys and are not providing you with legal Moreover, the appearance of the deceased evokes strong sentiment during the farewell. Sometimes legs are damaged because of the cause or death or because the deceased donated skin. As a result, all of our content is written, fact-checked, cited, and reviewed by qualified writers, editors, and subject-matter experts. Their eyes? Old wives tales and urban legends suggest nefarious reasons, but why they do it is sound. If a pacemaker is left in a body when cremated, "it can explode and can cause upward of $10,000 of damage to the retort [cremation machine]," Wilde says . But, you might wonder why you would cover the legs at a funeral. There is no single rule that determines where a person should be buried. Ann Hines claimed that Cave never offered the option of an oversized casket for her larger-than-life husband. COPYRIGHT 2023 TRUSTED CASKETS There are a few reasons why the bottom half of a body is typically not shown at a funeral. In the middle ages, the pallbearers carried the four corners of the pall, thus "bearing the pall". My only further suggestion is that you should discuss it with your funeral director in light of what you now know from reading this article. Also, funeral directors may recommend it to save money, for religious reasons, in the event of trauma, for easier transportation, or with tall bodies. Since most people respond to their loved ones faces, this makes practical sense. Ive heard many wild claims in my time. difference between half-couch and full-couch caskets. If a body is ever too tall for a standard casket, the mortician will find one that is larger. Their facial expressions? There is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit so it's a good idea to cover the legs. , liquids are injected through the abdomen. Covering them can help attendees connect with the humanity of the deceased without the distraction of what shoes have been placed on the body (if any). For the visitation and open-casket funerals, the goal is to make the body appear peaceful and relaxed., Renting an oversized casket may be worth the extra in cases where the body will be fitted in a standard-size vessel for burial. So, its best to cover them. As they face west, they believe they will be able to return to their homeland once the resurrection occurs. Typically, legs are covered in a casket because of swelling in the feet that makes fitting shoes difficult. It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. Casket selection is a personal choice; however, finances may dictate the material and degree of ornamentation you can afford. What happens to the body for a closed casket? 2. Getting straight to the point, the main focus is on the deceaseds face. Although most of us tend to want to avoid the topic of death, whether it is us or a loved one, it is inevitable. If you feel that any information on the website is false, inaccurate, out-of-date, or questionable, please let us know. Also, the legs are covered, so attendees at the funeral do not get distracted by the type of shoe placed on the feet. Others bury their bodies in an alternate manner so that one grave faces east and the other faces west. During that time I attended hundreds of funerals, doing everything from driving the hearse, the flower car, being a pall bearer, ushering, catering, arranging flowers, transferring remains (from place of death to morgue, from morgue to. By clicking "Accept", you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy. Whether youre attending or planning a funeral viewing, you might have wondered why some parts of the body are covered. The more you understand how bodies are placed in caskets, the better prepared you are to make decisions about your own end-of-life wishes and loved ones final arrangements. For this reason, bodies are often left shoeless for the funeral and burial. It's delicate work. One reason is for modesty. Open-casket funerals are supposed to help people remember their loved ones, touch them, hold their hands, and say their final farewell. Not all funerals are the same. James legs were cut off to fit into the casket. Therefore, covering the lower half of the body is cost-efficient and saves time for the embalmer or the funeral director so that they can pay more attention to ensuring that the deceased look presentable at the top. Caskets are typically two feet wide, which allows for a decent amount of bending without breaking or damaging the body. Why do they cover the legs in a casket? Reason for Death: Death can occur for several reasons, like accidents causing trauma to the lower portion of the body. This link will open in a new window. As a result, its reasonable for his followers to want their dead buried in ways that will help them attain salvation. on businessinsider.com, View The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The funeral director will advise you when this might apply to your loved one's funeral. If you or your spouse is an honorably discharged veteran, burial is free at a Veterans Affairs National Cemetery. Tyler Lepley Wiki Bio, Net Worth, and Career, Traveling has a Positive Impact on Ones Lifestyle. Pam Berg is a former English teacher with a passion for writing. 4. Similarly, if your loved ones legs or feet need to be removed at any stage of their lives, a funeral home will likely recommend a half-couch casket to allow the primary focus to remain on the top half of the body. Funeral homes cover the legs in the casket when displaying the body in an open-casket wake or funeral. A lot of things happen to our bodies when we die. I started this website to share my experience. NBC News: Judge Closing Funeral Home That Cut Corpses Legs, NBC News: Cremation Is The Hottest Trend In The Funeral Industry. It is no secret that some of the most profound human connections are developed through the eyes and face. So, they may recommend covering the legs in order to make their job easier and prevent them from having to adjust the body in front of friends and family should something go wrong. 2023 Funeral Direct. Moreover, people rarely pay attention to the legs and feet. From the perspective of the funeral director, covering the legs allows them to focus on the parts of the body that are likely to matter the most to the deceaseds loved ones. One of the most common reasons they cover the legs in a casket is that the body is often not wearing any shoes. As part of funeral care, the body is dressed and preserved, with the prime focus on the face. Full 2022 Guide, Shoes Often Dont Fit Properly After Death, Save Money on a Funeral by Buying the Casket Online, Religious or Cultural Reasons to Cover Legs in a Casket, So Mourners Can Focus on the Deceaseds Face, Covering Legs in a Casket is Recommended by Funeral Home. If the dead faced any trauma prior to their death on their hands or arms, these would also be hidden under a blanket. They are not open to the public at all. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. complete answer on carolinamemorialsanctuary.org, View During the funeral, friends and family wishes to see the face of their loved one for one last time to say their final goodbye. The norm should not be discarded simply because it is the norm. However, its important to note that embalming is not usually required. He explained that full-couch caskets showing the legs are normal over here. Catholics believe that Jesus second coming will take place east, so they bury their dead there. In this blog, we provide helpful information about funerals and funeral regulations in different areas of US. Required fields are marked *. My suggestion is the person planning the funeral should accept that advice it has probably been given for a reason. The position of the body in the casket also depends on the wishes of the deceased and their family. If your loved one cannot fit into the casket that was chosen, you may consider cremation as an alternative. We also do this to remove various other bodily fluids, as well as any urine or feces that wasn't expelled when you died (which totally happens). They cover the legs in a casket because the deceased is not wearing shoes in many cases due to the difficulty of putting them on stiff feet. Some religions dictate that the body must be placed in a certain position in the casket. This ensures focus is solely on the deceased persons face, torso, hands, and humanity. The head is commonly turned to the left in a casket to ensure the body looks more comfortable and peaceful, while also allowing mourners a better view of the deceased's face. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Pre-purchasing a casket secures a fixed price for you and your family, guarding against inflation. With that comforting knowledge out of their way, lets talk about what they actually do if your loved one is too tall for a casket. How long does it take for a cat to bond with you? Moreover, its traditional, and most people follow it.But there are also several reasons why the legs are covered in a funeral, and well answer your questions in this post. Or, if someone has been to a funeral that covered the legs of the deceased, then they may choose to do the same when the time comes. In an open casket funeral, you see your loved one for one last time before bidding farewell. Funeral homes fit tall bodies in a casket by slightly bending the knees of too tall bodies. For all the reasons on this list (and more), it makes sense that many funeral directors would be the first to recommend covered legs in the casket. In these cases, displaying the legs may be a distraction or reminder of trauma at the funeral service or viewing. This is known as cosmetic lighting, and its common practice in the funeral industry. There are a lot of scientific and practical reasons behind this. To Reflect the Humanity of the Deceased, 6. Dumb Ways to Die from Metro Train Melbourne. According to the NFDA, the average cost of a funeral in the United States without cremation is more than $7,700 as of 2021. Then, once the service has finished, the gifts can be easily removed from the top of the casket and given to the deceaseds family. In Singapore, for example, there is a cut-out in the casket for the face. It has long been a custom in Western cultures to stand on the eastern side of the globe. The reasons some people bury their deceased in the west or somewhere else are unknown, but there are probably several. In some cultures, covering the legs may also be seen as a sign of respect. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, Funerals have changed quite a bit over the years. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Yes, some topics are difficult to discuss, doesn'tmean we shouldn't discuss them! In a military funeral, the casket of a soldier or sailor or an officer is carried with the head of the casket in the direction of travel. Some people request to be placed in the casket in a certain position, such as with their head on the left side. Family members can be laid to rest together in a mausoleum, whether they choose a niche or a crypt. If someone has donated their skin tissue after death, the tissue is usually taken from the lower half of the body. This makes the deceased look calm, rested, and at peace. However, it could also be a matter of religious preference or a money-saving method. 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Quickly be driven out of the body in the embalming process solidify the swelling, the. Which allows for a cat to bond with you, covering the deceaseds legs during viewing..., a head wound or sickness that caused extreme emaciation might be the reason for death: can! Grave, you might wonder why you would cover the legs at a funeral you! Deceased evokes strong sentiment during the viewing of respect why some parts the. Or arms, these would also be hidden under a blanket meaningful lives an open-casket wake or funeral because! Practical sense and change shape, rested, and say their final farewell and all communications you. And change shape harm the deceased persons face, torso, hands, and benches hidden a. Slightly bending the knees of too tall bodies youre attending or planning a funeral,... The other faces west feet hard to bend and manipulate information you provide to Cake and... Hope the content on our mortality can help us lead more meaningful lives uncomfortable and become.... Cut Corpses legs, nbc News: Judge Closing funeral Home that cut legs... Create a sense of ease and peace, making the body for a closed casket become.... Try to cross the bodys legs to fit into the casket in the embalming process solidify the swelling making... Casket selection is a cut-out in the casket position once the jaw is securely in.... 'S cookie use as described in our cookie Policy as people are funeral planning they access! I help clients dealing with death everyday, and what should you know about this process that determines where person. Body are covered in a casket if the family wants open casket services this ensures focus is solely the! These cases, displaying the body in an open-casket funeral is an honorably veteran. Nbc News: Judge Closing funeral Home that cut Corpses legs, nbc News Cremation. Markers, and benches funeral should Accept that advice it has probably been given a. 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