Viewing (funeral)

Funeral custom

In death customs, a viewing (sometimes referred to as reviewal, calling hours, funeral visitation in the United States and Canada) is the time that family and friends come to see the deceased before the funeral, once the body has been prepared by a funeral home. It is generally recommended (although not necessary) that a body first be embalmed to create the best possible presentation of the deceased. A viewing may take place at the funeral parlor, in a family home or at a place of worship, such as a church. Some cultures, such as the Māori of New Zealand, often take the body to the marae or tribal community hall. It can also make it easier to accept the reality of the death, which can often seem unreal especially in the industrial world where death is handled by professionals and the family may only know of a death through phone calls rather than experiencing it as it occurs. Viewings differ by culture and religion. Approaches to viewings also depend on religious traditions and personal preference.

Ritualised behaviour in history has been seen as promoting and maintaining the emotional wellbeing of the individual, as well as the social cohesion of the wider group(Wass & Niemeyer, 2012). The process of viewing the body of the deceased is a ritual that is presumed to predate human history. Viewing the body is believed to be a fundamental part of coming to terms with the death of another human, across cultures throughout time.

It has become a common practice among most religious faiths in America, with the notable exceptions of Judaism and Islam, to display the body of the deceased as part of the funeral ritual or service. It was argued by authors Maurice Lamm and Naftali Eskreis (1966) that viewings are a custom of recent American origin and have no roots in ancient culture or contemporary European culture except for the "lying in state" of kings and emperors.

In Ireland the treatment of the dead has long been one of great respect. The term "viewing" is not used in Ireland. Rather, the event is referred to as a "reposal" (the body would be said to "be reposing"). Catholic tradition has meant that virtually all deceased persons are afforded a state of repose, regardless of whether the funeral is conducted as a Catholic or secular service. The reposal of the body can either occur within a funeral home or at the deceased's residence (or the residence of close family). If conducted in a funeral home, this usually occurs for a few hours on the evening before the funeral service and burial/cremation. If conducted in a house, this can be extended from several hours to even days, depending on the tradition of the individual locality. Reposals are usually open to the general public and no invite is required. Reposals in Ireland are usually conducted with the corpse displayed in an open coffin, so that the body itself is on display. Exceptions to this can occur; such as in the case of the death of a child or young person, or if the body sustained significant physical damage upon death (in the case of a fatal accident, for example). It is typical, particularly in rural areas, for neighbours, extended family and friends to attend the reposal as an opportunity to pay their respects to the deceased, as well as to sympathise with the deceased's immediate family (sometimes referred to as "mourners"). In the funeral home setting, the mourners are generally standing or sitting around the open casket or coffin to shake hands and accept offers of sympathy from the public.

Mark Harris, in his book Grave Matters, describes some as finding viewings comforting, especially if the death was sudden, as it brings them to terms with their loss, while others find it uncomfortable and choose not to have a viewing. In an article published in 1966, Viewing the remains: A new American custom, authors Maurice Lamm and Naftali Eskreis argue that viewing the corpse can be seen as paying one's last respects to the deceased and a necessary aspect of "grief therapy", which allows mourners to see the deceased as they would like to remember them. A 2010 study conducted by BMJ, however, revealed that, following a traumatic death causing disfigurement, professionals may be reluctant to allow viewing because as they fear that relatives will leave with unpleasant, uninvited memories. The viewing can last as long as the family desires. Since the 1940s, it has become more common for the coffin to be covered by a wooden lid. The body is to be displayed in a simple casket.

According to Islamic law, the body should be buried as soon after death as possible. As viewings delay burial, they are not practiced.

Viewings are not part of traditional Jewish practice. Pre burial gatherings of this kind do not fit well with the teaching that one cannot and should not comfort the mourners while the dead lie before them, but rather, the right time for comfort is after the funeral and burial. Jews also believe that the soul leaves the body immediately after death to go back to heaven. Additionally, they do not practice embalming. For these reasons, the funeral and burial take place very soon after death and unnecessary delays are avoided. During cleansing of the deceased, a prayer is read to ask for forgiveness of the dead and to present them to God.