WHY I PHOTOGRAPH FUNERAL AND CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICES
My parents on their wedding day
Photo Credit: Jules ALexander
When my parents died, my sisters and I worked very hard to ensure that the funerals were uplifting. Even though we were experiencing intense sadness, their funerals were truly a celebration of beautiful lives that meant so much to us and to other people.
Because I am a photographer, I I honestly thought I could take my own pictures, but ultimately was too busy chatting with people or taking care of other matters. In hindsight, I wish we would have had someone there who could have photographed all of the gorgeous flowers, the food presentation and centerpieces that were lovingly created, the memory table display we assembled, and the funeral service itself because my sisters and I spoke, and all the grandchildren sang a beautiful song about how families can be together forever. Most importantly, I wanted to have pictures with our beloved relatives and friends who came to support us.
I didn’t get any of the photos I wanted, and that’s why I started photographing funerals and celebration of life services. I want to offer this to other families so they can remember the celebration of their loved one.