The Modern Wonders Of The Funeral Industry

©Priscilla Etienne Funeography®

When I began building Funeography in 2008 I wondered how long it would take for people to embrace the idea that Funeography has always had a place in society and would again. What gives some people the courage to commission us, where others hesitate and sometimes are completely put off by the idea?

I get to talk to a lot of people who have been bereaved. A large number approach me at funerals, telling me of their regrets of not using Funeography and some say that they feel they have lost something special twice by not having any record of the funeral.

Recently there has been an increase in documentaries showing a different perspective to funeral directors. I must add that some of the bad stories and exposure they are getting is not true of all funeral directors. But for those who were not seen in a good light.. Oh dear. 

There is something that is absolutely clear though, funeral directors tend to stick together. I have to commend them on showing solidarity for their profession. 

We are part of a massive generation of technology, bigger capabilities and lots of change. As a Funeographer choosing my path within the photographic industry, I have done my utmost to re-create something wonderful with a new and fresh perspective. I have worked hard and enjoyed all the highs and lows that have come with the challenge I set myself. I said in the beginning with my early interviews that I was not going to disappear. I said I'd be here indefinitely and I still intend to continue. I think families are beginning to respond to these changes too. They are becoming more confident in asking for what they want. It seems that funerals are becoming an ocassion again, not something to be avoided. Theres celebration for the persons life in abundance now and people are paying attention to every detail including how they look to honour the person they are mourning. I hope this brings an increase with attending cemetary open days, theres a wealth of valuable information. Look out for your local cemetary/funeral directors open day and go along.

Get as much information as you can because you will need it.

I dedicate this blog to Shaz Gilderson who most certainly knew everything there was to know about vibrancy and being free.

See you at the next posting.

Working With Tears

                                                   ©Priscilla Etienne Funeography


How did I get through that day...Monday 21 January. The day I had to say a final goodbye to an old friend and work at the same time. This was the second time I have covered a friends funeral but it was pretty painful for me because this particular friendship goes back a lot of years.
I had already been to see her two children when I first heard the news of her death, So why did I get so emotional when I saw her children on the day of her funeral?
It was because I could see me and my brother standing at the family home waiting for our mum to arrive back in 1996. I could understand their feelings, even their thoughts.

The emotion was building in me more and more and this was just the start of the day. I knew this was going to be tough but I just had to focus on getting the best possible images I could. This work ethic is nothing new to me but for my friends funeral it felt new. I had already visited her a few days before and had an opportunity to spend some final time with her.
As soon as I had taken the first few pictures at the family home it was then time to go to the church. An old friend drove me to the church and we got there fifteen minutes before the cortege. To work at a funeral and be part of the funeral is a very different perspective and quite challenging.
I had to get into the road and stop traffic to continue with getting the images I wanted.
Once inside the church my tripod was already set up, waiting for me to mount my camera and take in  the whole atmosphere. My tears got the better of me when a woman came to the front and sung 'Amazing Grace'', I took as many opportunities to take more pictures before the tears obstructed my view. Her grandson got up and did a reading (a brave little boy), as did her daughter.
After the church we went to East London Cemetary Hermit Road, for the cremation and to release doves along with balloons. I took a few more pictures inside and out, then made my way to the refreshments venue.

                                                 ©Priscilla Etienne Funeography


I stayed here for the last hour with every intention of getting Carribean food (hard food). I couldn't eat, so I just kept taking pictures. I said a few words to remind people let me know if they wanted pictures taken with friends and family members. Every half an hour there were little toasts for my friend, and every time they said her name I cried. Her daughter was passing wristbands around with a few words on. I had come to the point where I had taken enough funeographs, I could not stay any longer.
I am currently still working on her Funeography Book.

I guess I should  close by saying 'Rest in peace' because if anyone deserves that it is her.
I will miss you very much and you'll always have a piece of my love with you.

I dedicate this blog to the wonderful, larger-than-life, Joyce Brown.

FaceBook & Announcing A Death

                                               Zuckerberg, M (2004) Facebook.


When someone close to me dies; say a family member or an old friend I would prefer to recieve a phone call or a personal text to my phone. For the first time ever I got an inbox message to my facebook account via my phone.
I read about an old friend suddenly dying. The only response I had was to scream. I kept saying 'No, no, no!'. I cried with shoulders shaking. My 12 year old Kross came in the kitchen, he ran to hold me.
The message was passed on because it was seen by another old friend who read it on facebook. It seems that despite everyone owning a mobile phone we continue to pass on such news through  messages with no voice at the other end of the phone.

As a Funeographer and Funeography Journalist I've been able to promote my company (Funeography) and myself well and to keep in touch with other death industry colleagues.
To be able to let everyone know funeral details using facebook is very, very useful, there is no denying that. For families grieving it means not having to call so many people. When you're grieving talking too much can be just as difficult as not talking.
I think it's important to think about respecting the family before posting too much information on what has happened or even how you're feeling. I think the family should have the privilege of giving out the details and expressing their emotions. Perhaps the time to read longer opinions and expressions of grief for the person who has died should come after the funeral.
The best part about facebook is that the family can thank everyone at the same time for their support and kind wishes. It is always comforting for families who are grieving.

Since my mums death 16 years ago, I only have some of the cards from her flowers and sympathy cards. They are equally as precious. I think I love having them just as much because they were physically bought and chosen and it's wonderful to have something to hold, something tangible, solid, like the Funeography Books.

                                                ©Priscilla Etienne Funeography

This is the cover of the Funeography Book I did for a dear friend  over a year ago who would have recently celebrated her 50th birthday. I miss you lots and think of you often.

This blog is dedicated to Laurie Coom.

Remember Your Roots

I'm always thinking forward, about my next commission, how best to reflect the life of the person who has died.

I feel very strongly about my local area and the community spirit I have grown up with all of my life. If a family is in mourning we support them, if families are separated for what ever reason we try to hold the rest together. It's an important way of life for us.
We've all spoken to our children about the way we used to live, and what our local area looked like.
It soon became a reality for our children when a friend of mine Sarah Cain decided to create a Facebook page called Memories of Canning Town. It has grown enormously and now has nearly 4000 members.
Sarah then came up with a sister page called Caning Town Today and then followed with a memorial page called We'll Meet Again. This page is for those who want to remember their friends and family who are no longer here.

                                                                     We'll Meet Again

Some people need to be able to express how they feel about death and the impact it has had on them. This kind of memorial place is a good platform for this. I express how I feel about death through my work, through building Funeography.  I get great satisfaction from the wonderful and very real images I  have produced over the years.

I had a fairly large blog in the draft but decided to cut it down. I sometimes feel that great things need less words.

The only words I have left are thank you to all our clients who commissioned us from the launch of the company to date, without you there is no important work.

I'm looking forward to the expansion of Funeography with the licensing and hope that many more families experience the comfort that Funeography brings.

Have a very merry christmas and wonderful new year.

I fittingly dedicate this blog to Sarah Cain's brother Smarty Cain.

Opening Doors

  I have had some excellent support from people within the funeral/death industry, for this I am so grateful.
I'd like to name some of them.

Colin Liddell
Fran Hall
Stuart Poulton
Jeane Trend-Hill
Paul Sinclair
Patrick Macnalley
Louise Carron-Harris
Paul Hensby
Charles Cowling

Thank you all so much. You know how important it is for us all to support each other and encourage each other in this sometimes difficult industry.

 I have so many requests from all over the world as to how Funeography can be shared with other photographers. Well.... here it is. Funeography licensing will be available from December 2012

The Cost is £1,100 single payment and includes a Funeographer's manual and contract.
To obtain a licence and more information contact: paisley.funeography@gmail.com or mail via the website. www.funeography.com

 It's time to let other the many incredible talents out there shine in this industry.   

I dedicate this blog to one of my greatest influences. Steve Jobs

Everybody Loves You When You're Six Feet In The Ground.

Some brilliant words by John Lennon, brilliant and true.

I recently took my son to see the 1968 olympics documentary 'Salute, The Movie'.  It chronicles what happened to the third Olympic athlete (Peter Norman) on the podium, after he became part of the famous black gloved salute by two American athletes (Tommy Smith and John Carlos). 

Peter Norman supported the civil rights movement but he did not take part in the salute. The salute had   a big impact on all three athletes. For Peter, being a white Australian with strong beliefs during a time when race relations in Australia were bad for black australians, would prove to be harmful for him personally and for his career.

Sadly, Peter Norman did not get to see the finished film as he died before it's release. When the film reached the part of Peters' funeral, my son commented on the amount of people paying their respects to him. Among the mourners were some of the olympic committee members and Australian sports people who helped to destroy Peters' brilliant career. My son was quick to ask; "Why didn't they show their appreciation for what Peter did for Australia when he was alive?

He was right, it's often after the person has died that they are honoured and respected for the person they were and what they achieved.

We don't have to wait until after to show how much we care about each other, or how much we admire a person and their beliefs. After all, we often have no problem expressing our disappointment on a regular basis. 

I dedicate this blog to a remarkable woman whom I often think about. she was awarded her Doctorate when she died. It was announced at her funeral some years ago. 

Doreen Parkinson.

Fame Without Flowers

I wanted to begin by briefly mentioning how saddened I was to hear of the untimely death of cricketer Tom Maynard, my sincere sympathies are with his family at this time.

It is always paramount to consider the feelings of every family when they are faced with a bereavement.

I understand this very well, particularly as I have experienced great loss within my own family and with many dear friends.

On Wednesday 20 June I travelled to Wembley Park station with the hope of taking Funeographs of some beautiful floral tributes for Tom. I'm not a reporter with the aim of putting a heart wrenching story out there in the form of a blog. Funeography is not carried out in the way paparazzi coverage is so often, with little thought for the families.

I took some images of the front of the train station but I chose not to add it to this blog.

I have a real love and passion for Funeography and really want it to be understood. Me and some of my like minded colleagues who also appreciate and understand the value of this kind really need the public, society to look at it. There is still much confusion and some fear around Funeography and so..... the time has come for me to expand even further on the Funeography archives and also to clarify the booking process, how we work etc. As from July 2012 Funeography will be on offer for half price for a period of 6 months... New Price £350.00 This will also mean that I will be using some of the carefully selected Funeographs for artistic, promotional purposes. 

Take advantage of this and give your family or friends the chance to have a precious memory and legacy for generations to come. Use your money with the choices that you really like rather than the ones you have to adhere to. It's your money, your loved ones, your choice. 

I dedicate this blog to Tom Maynard.