Now That’s a Deadpan Smile

Hello folks, thanks for coming by All Things Southern for our weekly visit. I’ve been looking forward to see y’all! Have a seat and let’s chat…~smile~

I’ve been watching a debate play out in a national advice column about funeral etiquette, specifically the practice of taking pictures of the deceased. It began when an irate sister witnessed someone snapping a photo of her brother in his casket. Sissy was horrified. Many readers agree that it’s both improper and unseemly. Others, however, feel just as strongly that there’s nothing whatsoever wrong with one last photo opp. Say cheese! Oh. Never mind.

Sissy also said that while she’d never seen this until she moved south, she’d seen it several times since she got here— implying the behavior is another oddity of ours. The advice columnist politely disagreed, stating that taking pictures of the dearly departed is not a practice confined to the South. True, and yet the Belle of All Things Southern is willing to confess that where my family is concerned, it may be ground zero.

I told y’all about Mama having Tombstone Twitch, (she’s become more interested in those who have passed than those who remain.) I told you she has her and Papa’s cemetery plots bought and paid for along with their tombstones, each inscribed with their own carefully chosen thoughts and scriptures. I neglected to tell you that she’s actually made me take a picture of her posing with said tombstone. She even asked if I’d like to be in the photo with her! I declined.

The subject came up over Mother’s Day. Our family’s divided on it, too. Mama insists it’s quite normal but many of us remain confused about the point she’s making and what we’re supposed to do with this photo when, well, you know. You can’t exactly send it to someone and say, “Wish you were here.” I’m not sure it’ll look right in family scrapbooks and it’d just be flat out odd on that little table beside the casket.

On the other hand, now that I think about it, I suspect this may be Mama’s way of leaving photographic evidence for us girls, assuring us that when that day comes she’ll be perfectly fine, and we will, too. Thanks, Mama.

Hugs,
Shellie