Good Times Displays

       Don't Hide your Memories Away..
 

by April Leuzzi.

This kit is a reminder of a time honored tradition that has been forgotten due to the wonders of modern medicine and the differences between cultures.

It is common knowledge that the "Funeral Wake" started as an Irish tradition.  During a wood shortage in Ireland, it became necessary to dig up old graves to re-use the coffins.  In doing so, many of the coffins were found to have claw marks on the inside of the lids.  The story goes that it was believed that these people had been buried alive but so drunk as to appear dead.  Doctors then determined that within 3 days time a person would either sober up or they were actually dead.

Something else the Irish are well known for is celebrating.  This being true, the "Wake" became a celebration of the person's life rather than mourning over their death.  After all, there would be time for mourning if, in fact, the person was dead as opposed to 'dead drunk'.  In adapting the 3 day Wake, other cultures have not included the celebration.  They adapted a 3 day 'viewing' being that doctors are much better at determining death in the modern world.

Part of the celebration included the assembly of a "memorial box".  This box was not about mourning, but instead was a tribute and celebration of the person's life.  In the box would be placed small mementos that would bring to mind the good times that had been shared.  The box would soon be filled and others would be asking for the stories behind the items.  So the story telling of the good times would begin and so would the celebration.

In offering this kit, we are attempting to bring the celebration and tribute of life back to a world full of needless and sorrowful death.