Why Are Burials So Quickly In Ireland?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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In a new policy document on funerals it notes that funerals in Ireland traditionally take place very quickly, often less than 48 hours after death has occurred. ... The archdiocese’s new policy on funerals was necessary because of “ the ageing population which can be concentrated in certain parishes or groupings ,” it said.

Why do Irish bury their dead?

The Christian funeral is of profound importance to Irish society, allowing a celebration of the life of the deceased . The rituals surrounding it allow the bereaved to mourn, grieve and hopefully recover in a healthy manner, yet many people are being denied the opportunity to say a final goodbye to their loved ones.

Why do the Irish bury their dead so quickly?

In a new policy document on funerals it notes that funerals in Ireland traditionally take place very quickly, often less than 48 hours after death has occurred. ... The archdiocese’s new policy on funerals was necessary because of “ the ageing population which can be concentrated in certain parishes or groupings ,” it said.

Why do the Irish cover mirrors when someone dies?

The Irish wake is a well-known funeral tradition where the family of the deceased covers all mirrors in the home. To hide the physical body from the soul, the family turns mirrors to face the wall. ... They cover mirrors with black material to ease the deceased’s journey into the afterlife .

How long after a death is the funeral in Ireland?

Most people in Ireland are Catholic (even if lapsed) – and the vast majority of funerals take place in a church. (Even if the dead person hardly set foot in it). It is common in most parts of Ireland for the burial to be as quick as 2 or 3 days after the death .

How do the Irish view death?

We much prefer the belief that it originated with the Celts. They believed when a person died they were moving on to a better one in the afterlife, and that this was a cause to celebrate. An Irish wake is traditionally held in the home of the deceased or at the home of a close relative; this is known as the wake house.

How do Irish people do funerals?

Funeral Traditions from Ireland – Stopping Clocks, Opening Windows and Covering Mirrors . Stopping clocks, opening windows and covering mirrors are all part of the Irish Wake tradition, and similar rituals can be found in other cultures around the world. All clocks are stopped at the time of death.

What is an Irish goodbye?

A slang phrase rumored to have originated in the Northeast, an “Irish goodbye” refers to a person ducking out of a party, social gathering or very bad date without bidding farewell . ... It attributes the phrase to “the Potato Famine of 1845-1852, when many Irish fled their homeland for America.

Do Irish people get cremated?

Cremation has been carried out as part of funeral rites in the Republic of Ireland since 1982, when the country’s first crematorium, Glasnevin Crematorium, was opened. However, cremation in Ireland dates as far back as the Stone Age.

What is an Irish wake funeral?

Irish wakes are a celebration of life – one last party to honor the deceased . ... For this reason, the body is waked in the deceased’s home for at least one night. This also allowed family, neighbors, friends and acquaintances visit the house to pay their respects.

Why do Irish throw water in front of a hearse?

The water used to wash the corpse before placement in the coffin was traditionally kept to be thrown in front of the hooves of the horse drawing the funeral carriage. Later, this developed into the symbolic act of neighbors and family throwing buckets of water as a mark of respect for the dead.

What is the 9th day after death?

On the ninth night the family prepares the food for all who come . As tradition has is on the ninth night it is believed that the spirit of the deceased passes through the party gathering food and saying goodbye before continuing on to its resting place.

Why do you open the window when someone dies?

It is believed that an open window in the same room as a death bed is needed to allow the souls of family members who have already died to come to retrieve the soul of the person who is dying , to take them into the next life.

How much does an average funeral cost in Ireland?

The standard funeral cost is €4,062 (and covers Removal and Care of the Deceased, Embalming, Removal to Church / Cemetery, Hearse, Funeral Directors Fee and Coffin but excludes “disbursements”; items such as Church Offering, Priest, Music, Obituary Notice – more details can be found below – and the cost of a burial ...

Who pays for funeral if no money?

If someone dies with no money and no family who can pay for the funeral, the local council or hospital can arrange a Public Health Funeral (also known as a pauper’s funeral). This usually takes the form of a short, simple cremation service.

What is the first thing to do when someone dies?

  • Get a legal pronouncement of death. ...
  • Tell friends and family. ...
  • Find out about existing funeral and burial plans. ...
  • Make funeral, burial or cremation arrangements. ...
  • Secure the property. ...
  • Provide care for pets. ...
  • Forward mail. ...
  • Notify your family member’s employer.
Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.