Is it normal that my dead niece was put on display?

42% Normal
15 Comments

My brother and sister-in-law had a stillborn daughter today. They knew she was dead yesterday, but it wasn't born until today. After the birth, they cleaned her off and put her in a crib next to the mother, and my family was told by the parents to come take pictures with the baby. It's been 11 hours since the birth and they're still with her in the hospital. IIN?

Voting Results
42% Normal
Based on 36 votes (15 yes)
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Comments ( 15 )
  • RoseIsabella
    8 years ago | pl

    It might not seem normal to you, buy it's part of their grieving process. If it helps them in their grief and sorrow I support it. My mother always takes pictures of dead relatives in the casket. My mom's habit might seem morbid or gruesome to some people, but it doesn't disturb me. In the Victorian Era people routinely took pictures of their dead, especially if they lost a young child. I think your family wants something to remember this child they lost.

    Strangely enough, some people even baptize their dead. People have also been known to clip off a lock of hair as a keepsake, and I honestly wish I had kept a lock of my grandmother's hair!
    :-'(
    My condolences in regards to your family's loss.
    ♡
    @-->---

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      8 years ago

      I understand they are grieving, but I don't quite get the whole having the family in to spend time with the dead kid thing. How does this help them grieve? What's the motivation?

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      • NeofelisNebulosa
        8 years ago

        I think it's kind of like that whole "Viewing" thing that some funeral homes do the day before the burial, where they let people go by and look at the body. Personally, it distresses me greatly and I avoid funerals as best as I can. I never approach the casket if I do attend a viewing/funeral. But some people apparently find this to be an important step.

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      • RoseIsabella
        8 years ago

        It's hard to explain, but it's part of the grieving process and not especially abnormal.

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    • [Old Memory]
      8 years ago

      Makes sense to me. Ive never taken pictures of people while dead but I have pictures hanging up of people who have died and I want to remember. Its probably a similar concept.

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      • RoseIsabella
        8 years ago

        Thanks for your understanding, Bugs.

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          8 years ago

          Any thoughts why people like to see the dead? I have always tried to avoid seeing dead people or pictures of dead family members.

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          • RoseIsabella
            8 years ago

            I guess they want closure and a chance to say goodbye. I'm not squeamish about dead people, especially if they're my beloved family members.

            This might be gross to some people, but I kissed my grandparents goodbye at the wake. It honestly doesn't bother me. I did the eulogy at my paternal grandmother's funeral mass. I was a pallbearer, and a lector at my maternal grandfather's funeral mass as well.

            I had a beautiful seal point Siamese kitten who passed away from FIP and after he passed I held him in my arms for hours until my folks came to drive us to the pet cemetery and I had to hand him over to be cremated, because I knew it would be the last time I ever held my precious little angel. The blue point Siamese on my profile pic is his younger brother from a litter that was born a month after he passed.

            I think everyone has a different way of saying goodbye and paying their respects.

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    • NeofelisNebulosa
      8 years ago

      I don't know about people's hair, but we did get some of my horse's tail hair after she died. Some of my friends sent it off to this woman who makes beautiful jewelry out of horse hair, and 2 weeks later, they surprised me with the most beautiful bracelet :'( I cried like a baby when I saw it. So I can definitely understand the importance of having something to remember your loved one by.

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  • controllingandloveit
    8 years ago

    No it's not normal. So sorry for your loss

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  • weB2askingU
    8 years ago

    So sorry for your loss, but taking pictures to show a dead child in not right. Grownup Be differant. No this ant right you be sick in the head.

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  • Vile
    8 years ago

    My insolences. May god bless... that's sick as fuck and ergm. Hopefully gasmasks aren't needed any sooner then later. Condolences are mine

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  • handsignals
    8 years ago

    What......the

    What the.....fuck
    This is a troll post... right

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    • RoseIsabella
      8 years ago

      I don't think so, my friend.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      8 years ago

      Nope. This happened. It appears to be a common practice.

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