Americans and Australians do death differently. I've only been to one Australian funeral, but it was a much faster, smaller affair than any American funeral I've ever been to.
American funeral proceedings just involve so much more. First, there are usually a couple of viewings. These take place approximately the day before and/or the day of the funeral and usually last about 2 hours apiece. There are usually about 1-3 viewings.
Then, the funeral itself is usually in a church and is about an hour long, though sometimes longer if there are several eulogies.
The funeral is followed by a trek to the cemetery where all the cars put on little purple flags and drive slowly through the town to the cemetery for the committal service.
Then, there is usually a meal at the church, and possibly additional meals that day or the next for the family.
There are tons of flowers and donations, and the thank you notes for these are often written in the following days, along with other family business that needs to be attended to.
All in all, a funeral easily takes up an exhausting and emotionally draining week or more for the family and close friends, and 1-4 hours of time for most of the non-related guests. Church families, though, are very good about feeding the immediate (and extended) family, and generally looking after them through difficult times.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
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American funerals are also fairly typically held in funeral homes instead of churches, even for Christians. Also, the procession of cars, all of which have their headlights on, as well as the little purple funeral procession flags, are not to be interrupted - they go through stop signs and traffic lights without having to stop if the light turns while en route, so that everyone stays together.
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