Comments | joyful_molly: Resource: Horatio Nelson's Funeral

joyful_molly

Resource: Horatio Nelson's Funeral

Nov 19, 2007 02:03

Admittedly not the most cheerful of subjects, but being the daughter of a retired funeral director, funeral customs and rites have always interested me. Don't wave it off as morbidity; the way the dead are treated can tell a lot about a society.

( Personal musings about death and funerals behind the cut for those who might be interested )

resource, nelson

Comments 10

cassiopaya November 19 2007, 02:45:13 UTC

Very interesting! Thankies dear!

joyful_molly November 20 2007, 12:18:54 UTC

You're welcome. I was actually baffled by the size of this funeral; I knew it was a "big hero do", but looking at those pictures, I'm just in awe. I'll have to show the pictures to my father next weekend. :-)

(The comment has been removed)

joyful_molly November 20 2007, 12:23:22 UTC

I was surprised as well. My research has always ended at "...and then they put him in a brandy barrel" (seriously, what could top that), and when I found those pictures, I was absolutely stunned. I compared it with other state funerals since, and still think Nelson's is unsurpassed.

And huuuuh, I bet he's smug about it!

pearly_dreams November 19 2007, 13:51:58 UTC

Fascinating. Quite fascinating. Death rites are always interesting. ^^

See... Nelson's I can understand. Hero and all. But I've never quite figured out what was so special about Princess Di. I don't disrespect her, but I just don't get it...

Royalists might want to skip this entry... joyful_molly November 20 2007, 12:46:47 UTC

Disclamer: I'm NOT a fan of the royals at all. I'm biased. If it wasn't for the tradition, I'd cheer if they'd all be given a one-way ticket for the first flight to Mars. The only ones I find halfway bearable are Andrew and Fergie and Harry if he had more brain cells than a teabag). I'm one of the 0.0000002% of people who can't stand William. I notice he's balding with glee ( ... )

Re: Royalists might want to skip this entry... pearly_dreams November 20 2007, 20:23:10 UTC

*g* It's kind of funny, Canada's situation. We know (or at leas,t me and my peers do) generally who the Royal family is, but could care less. No one really talks about them at all.

Anyway, Lady Di. Yeah, that does make sense. Insofar as I can understand your writing. And why other people might have really liked her. But I'm now fairly sure that I could have cared less while she was alive. I don't do the whole celebrity thing. Unless said celebrity has initials JD

pirate4evrnavy2 November 20 2007, 01:00:42 UTC

Why is it everytime I read about funeral practices I am some what disturbed? Necrophobia? *Shrugs* If he wakes up then I'll be afraid.

But this was fascinating to read and look over. It's hard to find the information you post. Thanks!

joyful_molly November 20 2007, 12:50:16 UTC

Death is the last taboo, and most people shy away from it. Growing up around a funeral parlor is quite an advantage; it allowed me to have a more natural approach to death.

Good to hear you found it interesting; I was very impressed by the size of this funeral. Amazing!

hms_dauntless November 21 2007, 10:39:04 UTC

During the last week I've been so busy that I could not regularly check my f-page. So, it was great to come back and find such an interesting post about Nelson. A special thank for the scans. The pictures are a trasure cave of details. :)

joyful_molly November 23 2007, 10:17:31 UTC

Good to have you back, I hope less stressful weeks are ahead of you. :)

I was really excited about these pictures; I've read about Nelson's funeral and I've seen some of the commemorative merchandise (bad taste is definitely NOT an invention of the 21st century...!), but I wasn't aware of the size and impact this really had. I have to show my dad, he'll be very interested. :)