Let us know if you liked the post. Their eyes? Why do they cover the legs in a casket? Many companies offer larger caskets for people who are too tall to fit in an ordinary casket. Go ahead, ask me anything There have been many studies like this one published by OMEGA The Journal Of Death And Dying that suggest the face of a deceased person can elicit a strong emotional response in others. Though budget may not be a concern for some during a loss of a loved one, its worth considering based on how expensive funerals can be. 4. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Why Are Pallbearers Male? This has to do with the natural decomposition process. The position of the body in the casket also depends on the wishes of the deceased and their family. Read more about us and how were supported by affiliate commissions. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I get up the best I can and start to swim up to reach the surface. Family and friends viewed his body laid out in a half casket by the Cave Funeral Home of Allendale, SC, and some commented that the casket looked too small, but Hines widow Ann Hines thought no more about it until ongoing rumors that James legs were cut off to fit into the casket motivated her to question the funeral home. Regardless, a body with bent knees does not look comfortable. Another reason why the lower half of the body is covered could be related to organ donation. Ann Hines claimed that Cave never offered the option of an oversized casket for her larger-than-life husband. Some coverings are requested to bring peace and a sense of life to this. There are a few reasons why the head is typically placed on the left side. While the price may not be of issue for some, its not the same for all families. Also, funeral directors may recommend it to save money, for religious reasons, in the event of trauma, for easier transportation, or with tall bodies. I help clients dealing with death everyday, and I hope the content on our site can do something similar for you. The funeral director may also recommend keeping the legs covered if they have trouble fitting your loved one into the chosen casket. complete answer From the perspective of the deceaseds family and friends, they will attend a funeral where they can see their deceased loved one in the best possible light. Usage of any form or other service on our website is Here, the casket is kept open until the departed persons waist is up, and the legs in the casket are usually covered. 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. It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. Now that you know the practical and cost-effective reasons behind this practice, youre ready to make educated decisions about your own plans. Create a free online memorial to gather donations from loved ones. Some traditions demand you to cover the legs of the deceased as a sign of honor. Most of today's caskets are made to be half open. Rigor mortis can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. This means the bottom half is not as suitable for viewing, and its covered with a blanket or half-couch casket for privacy. A full-couch casket opens fully, while a half-couch casket has two panels on the top separating the top half of the body and the lower half of the body from view. Their smile? This is done for practical purposes as well, though the family is free to insist on their own wishes. Although they may ensure the feet are straight, adding shoes to a stiff foot can be very difficult. One reason is that it can be difficult to find clothes that fit properly over the bottom half of a body that is in a casket. The entire body requires extensive care when you opt for a. Posthumous Care is essential to the funeral process because bodies start decomposing post-death. Part of this process includes placing the body in a casket. It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. Finally, funeral directors might recommend covering the deceaseds legs as it makes their body easier to manage during transportation and at the service. complete answer Neither can be a better option as you have to make the final call based on your idea of. To prevent this from happening, half-couch caskets can give space for loved ones to give these items without touching the body or crowding the coffin. If the individual is embalmed, their abdomen is always covered. Do funeral homes put undergarments on deceased? Covering the legs helps in providing an honorable and aesthetic funeral. I push harder against the cover, adding my legs and arms, and the lid of the container shifts. Neither can be a better option as you have to make the final call based on your idea of body care in a casket. Families choose between a, Reasons Legs Are Covered in a Casket at a Funeral or Viewing. But the question of presentability does not only apply only to injuries. It is simply not practical or cost-effective to devote time and resources to improving the appearance of the entire body. you can always ensure the body of your precious is treated with dignity and love. For others, it may be a way to add a bit of extra warmth or comfort, especially if the funeral is taking place in cooler weather. A casket is usually open when it is displayed in the United States, allowing loved ones to say goodbye. ultimately, it is up to the deceased and their family to decide how the body will be positioned in the casket. This will include discussing some of the challenging decisions that morticians must make. 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. Why do They Cover The Legs In a Casket? In most cases, half of the body is covered to preserve dignity during the final moments. Cultural/Religious Reasons: Sometimes, covering the legs is done due to cultural or religious beliefs. As a result, it must be kept covered. In fact, the average cost of a funeral in the US without cremation is over $7,000 as of 2021, according to the NFDA. This just shows the role culture and regional differences play in funeral practices. People and churches have passed down regional traditions and practices for many years. Unfortunately, as of now, there arent any other ways of making a body fit in a regular-sized coffin if theyre too tall. To share your end-of-life wishes with your loved ones, create a free Cake profile. The painful memories of a loved ones loss or injury can be difficult to leave behind. 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. Our expert guidance can make your life a little easier during this time. However, while religion may play a part in the decision, its sometimes just a matter of cultural or proximity reasons instead. If the above doesnt work, youll need to buy a larger coffin, which the funeral director will tactfully suggest if and when the time comes. 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. August 28, 1955 was the day Till was kidnapped and murdered (Emmett Till Biography). Also, funeral directors may recommend it to save money, for religious reasons, in the event of trauma, for easier transportation, or with tall bodies. During the funeral, friends and family wishes to see the face of their loved one for one last time to say their final goodbye. A body donation benefits research and education. 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. Most funeral homes will try their best to be accommodating. There is no single rule that determines where a person should be buried. Due to the Culture and Religion of the Deceased, 9. There are a lot of scientific and practical reasons behind this. There is a difference between a. . This includes the prices for caskets. We'll help you get your affairs in order and make sure nothing is left out. If your loved one cannot fit in the casket that was chosen, you may want to consider cremation as a last resort. So its natural that the body will be preserved, and half of the body will not be exposed. 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 . Types of Headstones: Common Designs, Materials & Costs. The most common reason for this is that the body is not wearing any shoes at the funeral. Embalming liquids are injected into the abdomen during the procedure. I confirmed this by looking through the websites of a couple of New Zealand based casket stores. That said, they dont always get it right, leaving family members concerned that they may cut or distort bodies to fit. 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. 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). Another reason is for comfort. 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 . The body is typically placed in the casket with the head on the left side and the feet on the right side. Now that you have the answers to the evergreen mystery behind covering legs in the casket at a funeral, you know it is all about your comfort and preferences. One of the most common reasons they cover the legs in a casket is that the body is often not wearing any shoes. With funeral and casket prices rising significantly every year any extra cost can be substantial. Their hand gestures? This article will detail why feet are usually covered so you can make the most appropriate choice when the time comes. Organizing an open casket funeral is a familiar custom for families and dear friends to experience ultimate closure with their loved ones. Half-couch caskets are also known as partial-couch or split-couch caskets. This can help with the grieving process. A lot of things happen to our bodies when we die. Since most people respond to their loved ones faces, this makes practical sense. There are many things in life that we cannot run from, and death is one of them. However, it could also be a matter of religious preference or a money-saving method. Table of Contents Introduction The Deceaseds Body Types of Funeral Transportation The Deceaseds Family - Types of Funeral Transportation Con Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. There would be an opening in the body. Thats the only way we can improve. The body is dressed and preserved in a way that focuses on the face. The best way to give a dignified funeral is to cover the legs. do exist, but theyre hard to find and can be costly. People can receive lifesaving transplants while they are still alive thanks to an increase of 30% in organ and tissue donation in recent years. Whether it was a tragic accident or just something that happened earlier in their lives, itll rarely be ideal for drawing attention to the imperfections of the deceased. A lot of trust is placed in professionals in the funeral industry. Cultural/Religious Reasons: Sometimes, covering the legs is done due to cultural or religious beliefs. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer by Elmo & Patsy. The way to offer a dignified funeral is to cover the legs of the body. Funeral guides, tips on saving money, funeral products, funeral services comparison, and many more are all you need to know to arrange meaningful funerals for loved ones. Find out what to do and discover resources to help you cope. It's easier to use cosmetic lighting for only half the body. In some cultures, its normal to display only the head. Bending the knees without distorting or damaging the body is a great workaround for taller bodies. In some cultures, covering the legs may also be seen as a sign of respect. Any information you provide to Cake, and all communications between you and Cake, It is no secret that some of the most profound human connections are developed through the eyes and face. Continue with Recommended Cookies. If you are planning a funeral, whether you choose a half-couch or full-couch casket and whether the legs are shown or not is entirely up to you. Call Us to Get the Best Casket Price: (800) 950-4042. link to Are Open Casket Funerals Common? Full-Couch: These caskets have a single-piece lid that, when opened completely, displays the deceased's body. Families are laid to rest together in a mausoleum. The casket, which reveals the upper half of the deceaseds body, is only open during a wake or open casket visitation; the head section (the left side of the casket in the photo above) is also open to the public for viewing. Hey, I'm James, the founder of After Your Time. 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. This is to honor the fact that the priest spends his life facing the people. It is difficult to fit shoes on stiff and swollen feet, and an otherwise clothed body with no shoes can be jarring. Covering them is often the respectful thing to do. Wounded hands or arms would also be covered. Cremation services in Pittsburgh, PA can still be purchased if these points are remembered, and the body can be donated to science. 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. As part of funeral care, the body is dressed and preserved, with the prime focus on the face. There is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit so it's a good idea to cover the legs. Post embalming, bodies are often placed without shoes; hence covering the legs is the way to offer a dignified funeral. complete answer on virtualhospice.ca, View Caskets typically have two feet of space between them, allowing them to bend without breaking or damaging the body. on trustedcaskets.com, View complete answer 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. Even though many rules and regulations on funerals and cremation are standard among states, some of them are specific. In these cases, the funeral director will usually cover the lower half of the body in the casket. I started this website to share my experience. For this reason, the legs are covered with a blanket. This phenomenon has a number of scientific and practical explanations. The most common explanation for why all graves face east is that it is a way to ensure that the deceased will rise to meet the sun on Judgment Day. Another reason a funeral director might recommend covering the deceaseds legs is to allow for a place to put flowers or tokens of love. Now that you have the answers to the evergreen mystery behind covering legs in the casket at a funeral, you know it is all about your comfort and preferences. Why is the head always to the left in a casket? Casket selection is a personal choice; however, finances may dictate the material and degree of ornamentation you can afford. Humans express platonic love, affection, communication, and familiarity from the waist up. Typically, legs are covered in a casket because of swelling in the feet that makes fitting shoes difficult.When swelling is not present, the legs may still be covered at a funeral due to cultural preferences, the type of casket used, the size and condition of the body, and aesthetic considerations. Old wives tales and urban legends suggest nefarious reasons, but why they do it is sound. I'm Alex Noel and live in Indianapolis, Indiana. Covering Legs To Save Money: A mortician has a very big task to take a dead body and make it look like the loved one you remember. So, families and directors often avoid it. It is a common practice to cover the legs as there is swelling in the feet and shoes don't fit. We'll help you pre-plan your casket. If you need some guidance as to what is best for you, check with the funeral director. It also helps in weight loss and detoxification. How long is a half casket spray? Its even possible that some people may view bent legs as a sign the departed is uncomfortable and become upset. Moreover, people rarely pay attention to the legs and feet. Make a choice based on your preferences for an open or closed casket funeral. Also, funeral directors may recommend it to save money, for religious reasons, in the event of trauma, for easier transportation, or with tall bodies. It only takes 5 minutes. By covering the legs, : These days, you can avail the services of a funeral make-up artist to make the lifeless look lifelike. Thats not the only reason that emphasis on the deceaseds face is important. That said, in the United States, its not uncommon to see an open casket, so loved ones can say a final farewell. forms. , liquids are injected through the abdomen. If the casket is fully open, it will be difficult to correctly put the flowers, whereas, in half-couch caskets, you can place them on the bottom portion. Only having to focus on half of the body takes less time, so covering the legs saves money in body preparation time. 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. Funerals vary depending on where you are in the world and the religious needs and wants of the deceased and their family. The number of cremations has doubled in the last 15 years. Once the coroner and the South Carolina Board of Funeral Service became involved, it was discovered that an unlicensed worker sawed off his legs between the ankle and calf and put him and his feet back in the coffin. There are a lot of factors to consider with cremation, such as the wishes of the deceased and any relevant religious grounds. Post embalming, bodies are often placed without shoes; hence covering the legs is the way to offer a dignified funeral. One of the most common reasons legs are covered in a casket is simply because of the type of casket. Why do they cover the legs in a casket? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. In this post, I will explain the many reasons why the deceased bodys legs might be covered in the casket at a funeral service. But why do they always cover the legs at such a viewing? People rarely place much sentimental value on legs and feet. Furthermore, there are several other reasons why a head is turned to the left, such as religious and practical reasons. While the family can request anything they wish, this is a practical, cost-effective solution. Why Do They Cover The Legs In A Casket? She has written for many years on a variety of topics and considers herself to be somewhat of a jack of all trades when it comes to writing. The decorations that the deceaseds family chose to have at the funeral are also relevant. 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. Along with the pain we have to deal with, there is also the preparation and planning we need to address. 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. From how-to's, funeral options, industry trends, creative ideas, condolence messages, and ways to ease the burden for your loved ones, our writing team and expert advisors can answer all your funeral questions. Everyone dies eventually, and in the United States, the funeral director or mortician presents the final choices for the deceaseds body. Answer (1 of 30): I spent 5 years working at a funeral home. What does winking smiley with heart mean? This is because the shape of feet can change dramatically after a person passes away. The deceased have the tendency to be more swollen and larger than they appear to be. By clicking "Accept", you agree to our website's cookie use as described in our Cookie Policy. But, you might wonder why you would cover the legs at a funeral. To cover this, the lower half of the body will not be exposed at the . Since most people respond to their loved ones faces, this makes practical sense. The term pallbearer originally comes from the word pall, a decorative cloth that is used to drape the casket. In contrast, the half-couch casket is partially open, displaying only the upper parts of the body. One of the main focuses of an embalmer and a funeral director is the deceaseds face. However, she also recognizes that this is a topic that needs to be approached in a sensitive manner. But lets talk about some other possible reasons that a funeral director might recommend this. How long does a body last in a sealed casket? 7. The caskets used for burial also display the body during viewing. While many modern embalming practices help fight this, its normal for the deceased to appear larger and more swollen than they did in life. Reason for Death: Death can occur for several reasons, like accidents causing trauma to the lower portion of the body. In your moment of grief, saying the final goodbye is always the hardest. What Other Body Parts Might Be Covered in a Casket and Why? He was shot in the right ear, beat with a 45. For information about opting out, click here. Last but not least, its simply not practical or affordable to dedicate time and resources toward the cosmetic appearance of the entire body. For example, embalmers and funeral homes arent allowed to make any physical alterations to a body that the family disagrees with. The fees for the advice of an attorney should not be compared to the fees of do-it-yourself online , and its common practice in the funeral industry. 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). We may earn a commission after clicking links on the site before making a purchase. He explained that full-couch caskets showing the legs are normal over here. Sometimes legs are damaged because of the cause or death or because the deceased donated skin. For this reason, bodies are often left shoeless for the funeral and burial. Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage: Guide to Casket Prices: How Much Do Caskets Cost? When the body is cremated after visitation, the cremains might be placed in an urn or buried. are not protected by an attorney-client privilege and are instead governed by our Privacy Policy. Basic flat grave markers will cost roughly $500, while standard upright headstones will Paying for a Funeral: Should You Pay For A Funeral With Cash. After some research, it became clear that a lot of people choosing a casket simply follow tradition. 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). First, the body will experience rigor mortis, which is when the muscles in the body stiffen. When 67, 300-pound funk guitarist James Hines died in 2004, the funeral director covered his legs in the casket. subject to our Terms of Use. The funeral industry is a huge industry with good reason. When a casket is closed, the head is usually left alone because there is no reason to turn it one way or the other.