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[OM] Re: Unsung attribute

Subject: [OM] Re: Unsung attribute
From: "James N. McBride" <jnmcbr@xxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 19:07:36 -0700
I saw a similar exhibit recently and the images were taken in Harlem quite a
few years ago. Apparently this was common in Harlem at some time. Some of
the people looked quite nice in their burial finery. /jmac

-----Original Message-----
From: olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:olympus-owner@xxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of Winsor Crosby
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 5:13 PM
To: olympus@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [OM] Re: Unsung attribute



I saw an exhibit at one of the local museums years ago which
consisted of pictures of the dead in repose in their open coffins. It
seemed really macabre at the time, but the explanation was
reasonable. They were called "memento mori", about 4 inches by 6
inches and very common in eastern Europe. It explained that due to
the difficulties of travel even during the early 20th century and the
need for quick burial they were taken primarily as documents of the
deceased for those who could not attend and for those having
difficulty with accepting the death. They provided for psychological
closure for a life ended. The sad part was that they were mostly
children.

Not the same as "covering" a funeral like a wedding, but probably has
the same "memento mori" purpose.



Winsor
Long Beach, California, USA



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