So how soon do funerals usually happen after the death, anyway?

[MadImmortalMan]

Grandpa MIM died on Saturday, and now I'm told the funeral will be on Wednesday. In Columbus. Which is logistically problematic for me for obvious reasons. Is this normal for it to be so quick?

Also: 

[Caliga]

Sorry.

...and yes.  Princesca could not attend her grandfather's funeral for this same reason (he died while we still lived in Boston).

[Razgovory]

The more important the person the longer the wait.  For instance Hobos go in the same night.  Lincoln spent weeks riding around the country before burial.

[PDH]

The more important the person the longer the wait.  For instance Hobos go in the same night.  Lincoln spent weeks riding around the country before burial.

Actually, a very good point.

I expect to be buried before I die...and I missed the lecture about breaking through the wooden casket and tunneling to the surface.

[Barrister]

Inside of a week I think.

For obvious reasons - you want the deceased's body to be put to rest, not sitting in a meat locker at a funeral home.



The First Nations of Yukon bury people quickly, but the big celebration is the headstone raising ceremony held a year after the death.  Just for a different perspective.

[Josephus]

You think that's quick. The Jooz do it within 24 hours.

[Agelastus]

Grandpa MIM died on Saturday, and now I'm told the funeral will be on Wednesday. In Columbus. Which is logistically problematic for me for obvious reasons. Is this normal for it to be so quick?

Also: 

Unless there are suspicious circumstances, its normally this quick in Britain.

I can recall missing my own Grandmother's funeral due to this; admittedly, this was due to me having chickenpox rather than for logistical considerations.

And, may I add my own commiserations for your loss.

[Razgovory]

Inside of a week I think.

For obvious reasons - you want the deceased's body to be put to rest, not sitting in a meat locker at a funeral home.



The First Nations of Yukon bury people quickly, but the big celebration is the headstone raising ceremony held a year after the death.  Just for a different perspective.

That's not a bad idea actually.

[viper37]

Grandpa MIM died on Saturday, and now I'm told the funeral will be on Wednesday. In Columbus. Which is logistically problematic for me for obvious reasons. Is this normal for it to be so quick?

Also: 

It depends on the family.
Most people prefer to wait on week-end, to let relatives from outside the city the opportunity to come.
But some others decide that's it's not worth the wait and they do it during week-days.

[viper37]

Inside of a week I think.
For obvious reasons - you want the deceased's body to be put to rest, not sitting in a meat locker at a funeral home.

Obvious reasons for doing it quickly, yes.
Obvious reasons for doing it in the middle of the week instead of 2-3 days later, no, I don't think so.

The First Nations of Yukon bury people quickly, but the big celebration is the headstone raising ceremony held a year after the death.  Just for a different perspective.

do they bury them in winter?  Here, we usually wait for the spring to schedule the burial.  The ceremony is held within one week-one week an a half, but the actual burial will often wait until the ground is unfrozen.

[Barrister]

do they bury them in winter?  Here, we usually wait for the spring to schedule the burial.  The ceremony is held within one week-one week an a half, but the actual burial will often wait until the ground is unfrozen.

I don't know.  I think they bury them in the winter, as backhoes can dig in even frozen ground.

Back during the goldrush thugh they'd dig a whole bunch of extra wholes in the fall, trying to guess how many they'd need.  Apparently th big long rows of empty graves were somewhat chilly to passersby...

[PDH]

Also: 

Oh, and sorry for the flippant answer...my grandfather was a rock, his loss still causes aches...

[Richard Hakluyt]

Yeah, it is usually that quick here too; missed a couple that I wanted to attend due to that.

A memorial service can be held at a later date I suppose, a celebration of the deceased's life with the initial shock of bereavement gone and plenty of time for planning.

Commiserations for your loss. I lost my favourite grandparent 37 years ago (Grandpa), it was the first death to touch me and I'm still pissed off about it.

[Valdemar]

It could possibly also be determined by availability of a priest?

My grandma wanted to be buried next to my grandfatehr, in the same church, by the same priest.

As the Church in weekends often is fully booked by weddings and christenings, then a mid week day is often chosen.

V

[Jaron]

Condolences.