GDG- RE:This Republic Is Suffering

[Margaret D. Blough]

Bernadette,

>>Think about it, many of our parents remember wakes being held in the parlor of a home. <<

It doesn't even go that far back, at least for those of us who grew up in rural areas. When my grandmother Wardlaw died in 1956, the viewing was in my grandparent's living room.  However, when my grandfather Wardlaw died in 1960, the viewing was held in funeral home.

Regards,

Margaret


-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: Bernadette Atkins <widowsweeds at embarqmail.com> 

> Esteemed GDG Member Contributes: 
> 
> 
> Yes, I cover these topics in my small mourning ritual book. Last word's were 
> very important, many dying folks would be suffering in pain but would refuse 
> painkillers because they wanted their final words to be clear. There are many 
> examples, Stonewall Jackson, etc. Even Little Eva in Uncle Tom's Cabin has final 
> words from her death bed.Death was a daily part of life. There was a high infant 
> mortality rate, people died from accidents, illness, accidental poisoning...then 
> a brutal war comes along and creates a problem with the mourning rituals of the 
> time. There's perhaps no death bed, no final words, no body, so there's no wake, 
> no funeral. When I do my "Mourning" programs and lectures, some are mortified by 
> the things I talk about, but most are fascinated. Think about it, many of our 
> parents remember wakes being held in the parlor of a home. 
> Cheers from Icy Gettysburg 
> Bernadette 
> AKA WIDOWSWEEDS 
> 
> 
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