Many of the blog readers had never heard of a Funeral book. Perhaps it is a Midwest thing? Anyways when someone dies the Funeral Home gives the family a book. It has room for all the pertinent information...name, birth, death, location of service and burial...etc...it also serves as a guest book for the mourners to sign.
This is a look into my Great Grandmothers Funeral book from 1968. The front is decorated with a golden door and Cala Lilies.
Grandma Hattie
A handwritten list of expenses and the people who attended.
Not much of her information was filled in...so I did it...57 years later.
I do not recall Grandma Hattie. I recall my Mother going to the nursing home to visit her, nor do I recall the funeral.
A four generation photo taken in the spring of 1952. Me and my Mother, my Grandfather Albert and my Great Grandmother Hadwig (Hattie) she was 74 years old in this photo almost the same age as I am now.
Far Side
What a beautiful thing, as a souvenir too.
ReplyDeleteHere in the Netherlands I have never seen something like this, but in recent years this has been happening via a digital condolence register, where you can place your memory etc. and which is then given to the family.
I have not been following you for very long. You have a nice blog.
Warm regards!
Great idea. I wish someone in my family (either side) had done this. I keep obits in my family bible, but this would have been of great help with family history. To know all of your family is a nice thing.
ReplyDelete41 greatgrandchildren?!?! That is some legacy she left behind.
ReplyDeleteI never heard of a funeral book, but it seems like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI have the funeral books for both of my parents. Just recently gave my SIL a small box with her mother's funeral book from 2011 and all of the cards received. We had gotten together at our house to write the thank you cards, so for some reason everything just stayed here until last summer.
ReplyDeleteWe got one when my MIL passed away. I looked at it and didn't have a clue as to what it was all about.
ReplyDeleteI should have passed it on to the daughter, but she hasn't contacted us since before MIL passed so I put it in a pile for someone ... at some point.
Interesting stuff!
I have a few funeral books that survived but most apparently didn't. By the time my ancestors that I knew personally started dying, funeral books were no longer a thing anymore.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of a funeral book, either. It's certainly a great way to keep family history.
ReplyDeleteThe books also had a place to list those who gave food and other supplies to the family after the death. When I moved (downsized), I passed funeral books on to my niece. I noticed last year that the local funeral home still has guests sign a funeral book.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a funeral book. I wish they did that here.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting and you know how much I admire all your family photos and documents. Your family is so fortunate to be the recipients of all your hard work!
ReplyDeleteThat was me! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI have my grandpa's funeral book and my mom's funeral book. I didn't know that they weren't things that everyone got at funerals. But from some of the comments I guess they are not everywhere at funerals.
ReplyDeleteWe have them for my family too, here in E.Ontario. Some valuable information for genealogy in those pages too.
ReplyDeleteIn my area of Northern Ohio there is always a funeral book. It is a "guest book" at the funeral home that everyone signs with names and addresses (for thank you notes). It has the information filled out in the front (not legally binding). And the family gets it as a keepsake. My mother requested no visiting hours so the funeral home and the church put it at the door of the church for the service.
ReplyDeleteI have custody of all the family funeral books. Just another thing in the hoard I call my family museum.
Kind of the opposite end...baby books and funeral books. I'd never seen one, though. Those old photos are priceless. :)
ReplyDeleteSo a funeral book is sort of like a baby book for the other end of life. Thanks for explaining.
ReplyDeleteI agree, our funeral books must be a central U.S. thing. I use them for genealogy information. The current books don't hold all the data the old ones did, but I insert sheets of notes when I can for whomever might get a book after I'm gone. I think they're very intersting to read!
ReplyDeleteI have my husband's funeral book from when he died in 2011. In a time when you do not have all your faculties it's nice to have that book to look at later and remember!
ReplyDeleteI have similar books for my parents and at least one of my grandparents. None of them include as much information as your great-grandmother's book. The photos, especially the four generation one is very special!
ReplyDeleteWe get something similar, it has a list of those who attended and other stuff but I can't remember what other stuff
ReplyDeleteFuneral books is also unknown to me in Denmark. Two sons, one daughter and 24 grandchildren. What big families!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I have never seen a funeral book like that.
ReplyDeleteI do have funeral books for my mom, dad, sister, brother and nephew. I suppose I am the keeper in the family and this is the reason I have each of them. I think they are really neat and I find myself pulling them out from time to time, looking at them and just thinking of those I love.
ReplyDeleteWe have a funeral book in Ontario. A lot. It seems a bit silly for us. Yours is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI hear about funeral books here but you can request one and I don't know if you pay for it. They are a good idea in order to leave good information.
ReplyDelete