Just wondering what everyone's take is on someone photographing a loved ones funeral or a friends funeral.

Appropriate ---not appropriate.... just wanted to hear some thoughts if you had any. If it coul stay resepctful and with no mudslinging it would be great---this is, I realize, what could be a sticky subject and I respect your opinion whatever that may be.:)

thanks Nat

Not me, but some do. Don't take a picture of me after I am gone. I don't want to be remembered that way......
Greg

Very interesting topic Nat. I don't think I would have a problem with someone taking photos at a funeral. I don't think it's something I would do myself, but if someone else wants to do it in a respectrull manner that's fine by me. I think some people would see it as very inappropriate, and tacky, but I don't see a problem with it.

I have been listening to a history of photography podcast, and back in the early days of photography, people would take their dead loved one to the degaratypist before they would take them to the undertaker. Photographing the dead was a very common practice a century ago.

Nat,

I'm not quite sure. I've personally never seen it done before - except on TV by the media for a public figure. Let me just add that because my ministry is caring for the terminally ill, I've been to many funerals. However, that doesn't mean it's never done or that I don't think you should - just sharing my experience.

I think it would depend on what or "who" your subject would be, and more importantly the reason. IMO you would need to get permission if it's not your family - and/or if it is your family, I would explain the reason for doing it - just out of respect to those attending.

Liz

Just wondering what everyone's take is on someone photographing a loved ones funeral or a friends funeral.

Appropriate ---not appropriate.... just wanted to hear some thoughts if you had any. If it coul stay resepctful and with no mudslinging it would be great---this is, I realize, what could be a sticky subject and I respect your opinion whatever that may be.:)

thanks Nat

I have never actually photographed a funeral service, however I have had a couple of request to photograph the deceased at the funeral home before the service. They have been from people I knew well and I understood why they wanted the images although I was not thrilled with it I compiled with their request. I did it when no one else was there with the help and consent of the funeral director. In most cases the family or widow wanted pictures of memorial flowers and such as well. I never charged for this service and I never even looked at the images. In every case I had told them I would take the pictures and give them the film and they could do with them what they wanted.

Personally I would avoid it, but if "backed into a corner", so-to-speak, then the approach is to be as unobtrusive as possible. Minimum equipment, avoid flash, quiet shutter on the camera, telephoto, small pocket camera for some shots etc. Any speeches could be recorder in video mode on a superzoom.

Ronnoco

At my wife's grandmothers funeral a few months ago, two of my wife's uncles had their p&s cameras out getting photos of the pallbearers standing in a line, and a few other photos of the guests. They didn't take any during the graveside service, but after the service was done the photo started. Eventually someone asked me if I had my camera at the cemetary (which I did) sso I pulled it out and started shooting. I put my 70-200 on there so I could stay out of peoples way, and didn't use flash.

Since most of the family is from out of state, this was one of the few times they all got together. We had a viewing the night before the funeral, and they asked me to shoot that. I wasn't really comfortable doing that, especially taking photos of people I didn't know, so I gave the camera to my bro-in-law (after telling him to keep the neckstrap around his neck, cause if he drops the camera, he's dead!!!) and he ran around with the camera in auto and actually took some really good photos.

For my grandfather's funeral I made a video collage of pictures of him through his life that they played during the service but no one took any pictures during the service or at the funeral home. I did take a few pictures at the burial in the cemetery but only because it was done with military honors and it meant so much to him as he was a POW in WWII and fiercely proud of it. They had an honor guard and a flag draped over his coffin and a bugler who played taps. Then they gave him a military salute with rifles. My gram was very glad I took those pictures but I must confess it was very awkward feeling for me personally. I did them at a distance with a long lens and put the camera away once I rejoined the crowd.

Thanks everyone for your input... some good advice and some good things to be considered...any other thoughts always welcome as well....

My wife's grandmother passed earlier this year. Many took photos, I chose not to. I just wasn't comfortable. Nobody seemed offended by it so I would say it's a matter of personal preference.

Hi
My dad's funeral was to-day and no one took pics.

Hi
My dad's funeral was to-day and no one took pics.

Wow, sorry for your loss.

I was at a relative's funeral who received military honors. There were plenty of opportunities for great images but I didn't have a camera with me at the time. I could see something very quiet (Leica rangefinder, P&S digital with the shutter sound turned off) being the right tool for the job. I told my wife later about this and she was glad I didn't have a camera... I guess you probably wouldn't have a lot of people excited that you were doing this but some time down the road, people would be glad for the images.

My dad's mom died of cancer when he was 16. Seeing pictures of her in the casket gave me a view into my father's life I would have never had otherwise.

Life needs to be documented. I would miss out on so much if people in my family didn't feel the same way.

I shot the funerals of three of my grandparents. I have photos of two of my grandfathers in their caskets. I took the photos very respectfully and they are very important to me. I went to the funeral home before anyone else so I had time alone to carefully set up and take the pictures. I also have photos of their cemetary plots. I relate to the world through photography so it's natural for me to photograph any important event. My family understands that.

My Grandmother (my Dad's Mother) died while staying with us when I was fourteen, and my Step-Mother would not allow me to go to the funeral (long story), but she did take some pictures. They were unflattering, black & white instamatic snapshots, and only of my Grandmother in the coffin, with which she (my Step-Mother) excused not letting me go; so, I guess I've never been fond of photographing funerals. I certainly would not mind photgraphing the attendees, especially rarely seen family, outside of the service itself, although, with some of my relatives, they would continue to lament the reason for the gathering if they ever saw the pictures. A good photographer, with quality equipment, could certainly produce some tasteful, enduring memories of a funeral; but, while photographing a funeral service does not bother me, it also does not interest me.

I don't know if I would photograph a funeral, but (in some morbid way) I wish I had a camera with me at the last funeral I went to. That funeral was for my girlfriend's grandfather, and since he served in Korea, there was the whole 21 gun salute and presentation of the flag that would have made for some touching photographs.

There was one person there with a point and shoot who took a few shots. I didn't think it was a big deal, but my girlfriend's sister went on about how rude it was.

Well I'm sure you have enough opinions on this subject but a friend of mine handed me a video camera and asked me to film his fathers funeral and so I did. I think it's all about respect and permission.

Jim B.

Mourning is such a personal and private thing, even though funerals are public mourning. I honestly think I'd be really angry and upset if someone photographed me at a funeral.

Hey if you are comfortable with it that fine, but what or who would you be taking pics of? Is is a once off opportunity to get a shot of relatives you never see? I think the big thing is to ask the colsest people to the one who has passed. Even if you ask people and theyare ok with having their pic taken I think it would be very disrespectful to the ones closest if they were in in agreeance.

I want to have a celebration of my life when I go so I would like to see smiles and group pics of those who were knid enogh to come and wish me well on my next journey.

about three years ago, my aunt died. After the service was a party at my uncles, and many people said they wished they had brought their camera.

last year, my dh's brother died. He was active duty military, and they had a service and viewing in Maryland that was videotaped, a service and viewing in WI, and and old friend of the family brought his camera and took some photos.

My great aunt passed away less than a month or two ago, after the service they had a dinner. My aunt brought her camera, and took some photos, not during the service, but at the party. I have a pretty large family, and we don't get together as often as we used to.

My great uncle passed away on Sunday, and the funeral is today. I know i would never take my camera, but I'm sure there will be one or two there.

I would agree that it's a personal thing, and while I think shooting during the service would be a bit tacky, in my experience, shooting afterwards isn't really a big deal. But in my family there is usually a party afterwards, so that my make a difference.

I am so frickin' sick of funerals.

Many years ago, my husband and I bought a fix-it-up house. We started working on it. I went upstairs to start cleaning it up. I found a photo lying on the floor. I picked it up and looked at it. It was a photo of a child in a casket. It was scarey. I didn't care for it at all.

At our family funerals, we usually never take a photo of the one who has passed away. We usually have a dinner after the funeral, and almost everyone has a camera and we take family pictures. It is strange that the only times we see each other is for funerals and weddings and reunions. Our family does love the photo albums though.

In the 1800s, photos of fully-dressed and very dead children were not uncommon. People had them made in order to remember their children in a happy way. Photos of dressed up stillborn babies weren't out of the ordinary, either. It might seem strange now. But customs change.

In the 1800s, photos of fully-dressed and very dead children were not uncommon. People had them made in order to remember their children in a happy way. Photos of dressed up stillborn babies weren't out of the ordinary, either. It might seem strange now. But customs change.

Actually, there is an organization that goes to the hospital and takes photos of newborns for families who don't expect the baby to make it out of the hospital. Here's the link, which explains it better than I did.

www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org

In the 1800s, photos of fully-dressed and very dead children were not uncommon. People had them made in order to remember their children in a happy way. Photos of dressed up stillborn babies weren't out of the ordinary, either. It might seem strange now. But customs change.

Mom had a picture of twin babies in their coffins on the church stairs. Only picture ever taken of them. Somewhere in Pa. or Ohio, circa 1915 or so.

My uncle used to shoot movies of everything. I think he shot every funeral he went to.

I personally wouldnt want to be photographed and I wouldnt care to be photographed at a funeral either. But I guess its a personal choice.

It was common to photograph the dead, fully clothed and usually in their bed. It was common for families to have a photo alums (s) of their dead. In bed, or on a chair etc.. some place in the home. People paid their respects to them before burial.

Back when it was common for families to photograph the dead there weren't "rules", but as usual in our country the few decided it was not "correct" to photograph the dead and the practice was pretty much brought to a halt. Some cultures still do it though. Before photography many had paintings commissioned of the dead as a way to remember them.

JS

Funerals are a tough one.

At my grandfather's funeral last january, I did take a few, but I did ask permission from my grandmother first. I actually found it difficult to take photographs just because of the emotional aspect of everything. (not to mention mention being with old friends and family who walk up saying "Oh my what a fine young man you have grown up to be", etc)

I don't think I would consider doing it at anything other than a family event tho.

I think someone mentioned earlier, its all about respect.

I'm a minister in south London .. and I suppose I have conducted 250+ funerals in my time. I must admit that I have NEVER had anyone take pics at a funeral service itself or even asked about it. It strikes me that photographs of the service itself are rare enough to be considered tacky in the extreme. Also, it very likely would attract attention at a time when people are focussed on their loved one/friend/colleague. In short, I don't personally consider it a good idea (at least during the service itself)

Personally, if someone DID ask me I would certainly not agree unless they were immediate family. Even then, I would apply the same rule as for weddings, ie no flash, no wandering about, and utter discretion.

Photos of the flowers afterwards, etc are another matter of course.

Hope this helps
Mike

My dad's mom died of cancer when he was 16. Seeing pictures of her in the casket gave me a view into my father's life I would have never had otherwise.

Life needs to be documented. I would miss out on so much if people in my family didn't feel the same way.


Hope nobody minds that I bump this thread. I've been asked to video tape a funeral this Saturday and this thread came to mind.

I feel I should record it as is without trying to be creative or else I may get in people's way and be a visual disturbance.

I'm being asked and getting paid so I that tells me they want this done.

This is an emotionally tough assignment.

Hope nobody minds that I bump this thread. I've been asked to video tape a funeral this Saturday and this thread came to mind.

I feel I should record it as is without trying to be creative or else I may get in people's way and be a visual disturbance.

I'm being asked and getting paid so I that tells me they want this done.

This is an emotionally tough assignment.

Manacsa,

I was asked to photograph my fiance's grandmother's funeral by her children. The family was incredibly appreciative. Some people gave me grief, but they were self-righteous jerks that had not even taken the time to ask the immediate family if this was something they condoned, they just wanted to make me feel bad, unsuccessfully I should add.

Some day, I will show those photos to my kids, so they can see how beautiful their great grandma's funeral was.

Thanks for the heads up.

I'm glad nobody stopped you from documenting that important event.

Video will provide a level of stealth for me. No clicks, no flash, and I'll stay put and give a solid recording. Part of me want to do a b-roll and really capture the emotion close up but I think I would be walking a thin line. Even if they said it was ok...I don't think I can bring myself to do it.



Manacsa,

I was asked to photograph my fiance's grandmother's funeral by her children. The family was incredibly appreciative. Some people gave me grief, but they were self-righteous jerks that had not even taken the time to ask the immediate family if this was something they condoned, they just wanted to make me feel bad, unsuccessfully I should add.

Some day, I will show those photos to my kids, so they can see how beautiful their great grandma's funeral was.

I forgot to mention, her favorite things in the world were butterflies. We released butterflies at the funeral. On our way to dinner I stopped at Walgreens and ran prints of the release for all her kids. Everyone was incredibly moved.

Just remember, you are not exploiting the situation, this is not something you're doing for fun, ultimately this is out of respect. We document thing because we want to preserve them. No documenting a funeral is not respectful, nor is documenting one disrespectful, it's just part of life.

just saw how old the op was....

I've always had my camera in the car when going to funerals -- but have always been too chicken to get it out and take photos. I regret it not doing it afterward since we have one of those families that only comes together for funerals. There have been at least three funerals in the past ten years that I still wish I had gotten some photos and at least three where I don't. Even sitting here knowing that I regret missing some family shots -- If I had a chance to do it over --I still don't know if I would. Weird huh?

mbb

Again (speaking as a pro here) please, please do consult with whoever is conducting the service. As well as objections on the grounds of taste from that quarter, there are copyright issues to consider.

Cheers
Mike

"this was one of the few times they all got together."

When my wife's aunt Sara passed away, I took my camera with me to the funeral, but never took it out. Just before everyone left, her husband made the comment that this was the first time in a long time all the family had gotten together. It's sad that it takes a wedding or a funeral to bring family together.

I've seen photo's being taken at a funeral, so I don't see a problem with it. It depends on what you're comfortable with.

Taking all things into account on this one...

If the funeral is of a family member with no special events surrounding the service I would not photograph it.

However in the case of a military funeral I probably would, and focus on the events surrounding it. the gun salute, flag presentation ect. Would I shoot during the service itself, no, it's a service of worship.

I have shot several funerals. Not something I ever wanted to do but it goes with the job territory sometimes. I've covered funerals of politicians, prominent community members, police officers, fire fighters (and classmate), celebrities and way to many soldiers. Military families seem to be very understanding of why you are there. Many people find it disrespectful (my wife included) to shoot funerals. It should be approached with the utmost respect. I never use flash and always try to stay in the background and draw as little attention to myself as possible.

Again (speaking as a pro here) please, please do consult with whoever is conducting the service. As well as objections on the grounds of taste from that quarter, there are copyright issues to consider.

Cheers
Mike

I spoke to the priest before I started working. I was only told to turn off the camera during a certain part of the mass.

It was a beautiful funeral and I knew the family wanted me there so I let the creative juices flow with restraint as not to be too obvious.The photographer, musicians, and I stayed in a general corner. It was a full mass, there were three eulogies, the interment had different things going on, and I shot a bit at the reception. I'm editing about 3 hours of video right now.

I was a little bugged out by the photographer that took lots of flash photos of the widow during her most intense grieving. I shot some video as well but I don't think I was presenting the "in your face" approach. His flash went off one after another....it really bothered me. I felt like telling him that it was enough. If I were him, I would've set the ISO high and zoom into the scene and snap a few. He was really close a to her and the crowd of people trying to console her.

Maybe some might thinks it is was ok but it bothered me.

Maybe some might think it is was ok but it bothered me.

I don't think that's OK either...

manacsa - you handled it just right, and sensitively, and stuck by the rules which the priest gave you. That is all I was arguing for.

For myself, I would apply the same rules as I do for a wedding: no flash (at all!), be completely discreet (nobody should be overly aware of your presence so that it distracts them), and, above all, be sensitive (unlike the bozo you mentioned!)

Mike

Personally I hope the thought of photographing the funeral of any member of my family will never enter my mind. Images of these events dont need to be recorded by technology as they remain forever in the memory of relatives and loved ones.
Not for me I'm afraid but, as I won't be around at the time, anyone wishing to to see me off with their cameras may do so, by prior arrangement and with a hefty sum lodged into the bank account of my favourite charity.