Well, it's easy to get them to hold still

[ponto]

Japan's obsession with camera-equipped mobile phones has taken a bizarre twist, with mourners at funerals now using the devices to capture a final picture of the deceased.

At one ceremony several people gathered round the coffin and took out their phones to photograph the corpse as preparations were made to begin a cremation.


Some call it a form of a memento in the modern age, what do you call it?

X (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060216/od_nm/japan_funeral1_dc;_ylt=ApukkchpqgyVloK9j.4RTnGs0NU E;_ylu=X3oDMTA3NW1oMDRpBHNlYwM3NTc-)

[bubbysgarage]

I call it disgusting. My thought is instead of taking a picture of the deceased to remember the person, you should remember the times you had with that person while they were still here. For example, my Grandmother passed away when I was 10 yrs old and before she died she told my Mother that she didn't want any of her grandkids at her funeral because she wanted us to remember her the way she was. She didn't want her grandkids' last memory of her to be her laying in a casket. That is just my thought.

[nickleahevan]

I agree. It's horrible. We've had camera's for years and most people have never used them to take pictures of the dead. Why is it any different just because the camera is on a phone? Technology may be advancing, but people sure aren't getting any smarter when it comes to using it.

[bubbysgarage]

Well said, Well said.

[annieap]

We have always photographed deceased loved ones in our family. There is nothing disgusting about it. Death is a part of life just the same as giving birth and I know many people that not only take pictures during birth but actually videotape the entire birth.

[Pierced Bliss]

I agree with Annieap. My grandmother passed away three years ago and I have many pictures of her deceased. It's not disgusting, or morbid. I just wanted some pictures because no matter what she was a lovely woman that I had great respect for. I celebrate the life she lived, not the one she lost. The pictures are my way of letting her physical body go.

[nickleahevan]

It's one thing for a family to take pictures of the dead, but this article sounds like they are doing it because they have a camera phone. They make it sound like they are showing off these pictures like you would a family picture. To have for your own memory is fine, but there are many who would rather you not show it off. As for video taping a birth, not me. That is one area of my body I would rather not share with others. I'm sure nobody wants to see the conception process (that is most don't and i'm not talking X rated movies) so they don't need to see the birth. LOL

[Pierced Bliss]

LoL With the birth of my last daughter I had both my grandmothers and my grandfather in the birthing room. Sure, I was a bit "shy" at first, but the memories they continue to share about the experience was worth any bit of discomfort I had. They saw the birth of their great granddaughter.

[DecupldSolutions]

never could quite figure out what the necessit is for a camera phone to begin with. still don't really understand the dire need for cell phones. but these are those days so as long as they aren't talking on the phone taking a picture while driving, no skin off this cynic's teeth.

judge not, least ye be judged.

[mark]

...............I figured this would be a problem someday when the cell phones started having the capability of take pics.


Just wait......someday you will see a pic of your teenage daughter ( or your spouse ) on the internet that some pervert has just taken while she was changing in a locker room of her school or at the "Y".

Or............. it has probably already happened & we haven't seen it yet.

Yep, it's going to be a real problem someday.............see ya mark

[GirlColumbo]

i want no memory of nobody in no casket, thank you very much!

[Pierced Bliss]

They pretty much already are a problem since alot of people use them while they're driving. I can't count how many times I've been cut off, or almost hit because someone is too busy worried about talking on the phone rather than paying attention to their driving. Almost as bad as women that decide to put on their make-up on their way to work.

[Jeremy]

I love camera cell phones and that's probably my next upgrade. So many times I have seen something funny, or weird, or whatnot and thought, man, I wish I had a camera on me. I'm not sure if I would personally take a picture of a loved one in a casket but the tradition is well established. Way back when everyone was photographed before being put in the ground. It was common practice. Today, I think, it is illegal in most places if you're not a family member.

[kdown]

Casket photos. We've never done it but it does sound like a good idea.
Cell phone use in New York is against the law while driving, but it ain't stopped a soul. It's EVERYWHERE and it's maddening

[GirlColumbo]

personally, the image of many of my loved ones in a casket is forever etched in my own memory, and it is not one that I like to recall, so I just dont need a hard copy of that vision.

[DecupldSolutions]

I carry a cell phone. It only makes and receives phone calls. Suppose it could play music, funny ring tones, connect to the net, and play silly games. Use it for work and an occasional conversation while out, not driving. Definitely not necessary to have. Have a digital camera. It works excellent for those times when I think, "hey, it would be good to have a camera right now." These days, it's a wonder how anyone survived without their precious cell phone. It makes people feel important or something. Don't get it. But I'm a cynic.

Your phones are made in china. But it is revenue generated so spend those dollars. Enjoy. Try not to hurt anyone. The service and sales do help the gdp. So I can't knock it completely. Have observed some really dumb actions by people on cell phones before though.

[lauralee]

My Mom has old pictures of her relatives in caskets, great uncles and aunts and grandparents. My daughters have seen them and think it's terrible. She has them in our family albums. I'm not real keen on them. I lost a brother in the 70's and I'm glad they didn't take pictures, I can still see his face in my dreams sometimes. I do remember a few years after his death I had the terrible feeling of not remembering what he looked like. I have photos of him living but don't think I could handle any pictures of him in a casket.

[GirlColumbo]

i guess it all depends on how each individual feels when it comes to having casket pictures.....
like you larualee, i lost my brother to a freak accident and i can still see his face as he looked in his coffin,
which brings another question to the boards, how do ya'll feel about closed casket funerals?
I know most will say they feel there is no closure, and they cant get it in their minds that their loved one is actually inside the casket, but there have been time when a loved one was badly injured and an open casket is just too much......
I dont know how i would feel on this one, but my husbands brother's funeral was closed casket and he says he has trouble to this day, after 30 some years actually knowing that his brother was in the casket, although he knows he was.

[annieap]

These days, it's a wonder how anyone survived without their precious cell phone. It makes people feel important or something.

My phone does not make me feel important however it does make me accessible when I am not home. During those times my nine year old daughter just needs to hear mom's voice, I am there. When I was at the grocery store and my 13 year old son needed me, I was there. When my mother needs to get in touch with me because a new complication has set in with my stepdad, I am there. When I am with a prospective client that has a question I cant answer, my boss is right there. Not to mention the car accident I witnessed a few days ago and because of my little precious cell phone, the police and an ambulance were there within minutes.
As for the camera on my precious little cell phone, yes I use it frequently. Sure beats lugging a digital around. I have captured some wonderful moments with that little camera on my phone.
Bottom line, just because you dont have use for a cell phone, dont belittle me because I do.

[GirlColumbo]

i dont think dcupld is attacking anyone about the use of cell phones, just posting their own personal opinion........which is what the boards are for right?
i do have to say that I use my cell quite often, but we will all have to suck it up and agree that when coupled with driving they can be dangerous, no matter how much we love them.........

[snuggsy]

This is the most morbid un-respectible acts I could think
of for love ones using cell phones to take pictures of the
decease.
Just think one day when it is your turn to lay in that casket, possibly they will stand you up in a corner and
take cell phone pictures from head to toe to sell for profit.:confused:

[nickleahevan]

This is the most morbid un-respectible acts I could think
of for love ones using cell phones to take pictures of the
decease.
Just think one day when it is your turn to lay in that casket, possibly they will stand you up in a corner and
take cell phone pictures from head to toe to sell for profit.:confused:
Well, at least you won't know it I guess. No matter if you feel it is right or wrong, I doubt it will stop. As someone stated in an earlier post, they used to do this all of the time and that was before cell phones were even thought of. Right of Wrong, it could be a lot worse. I would rather people use there cell phones to take pictures of the dead instead of up someones dress.

[annieap]

Just to clarify, I dont use my camera phone to photograph those that are deceased.