Comanche Chat
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Welcome to Comanche Chat!
This is where you can reconnect with old friends, talk about your high school days and be updated on various events.
It is not an open forum to trash Cahokia or any individuals working there (past,present or future).While we understand that you may have personal issues with some individuals, we are sure that you can understand our need to require standards on this chat room. It is listed as an educational site and anyone regardless of age can have access to it. The Alumni Association is a non-political organization. Please refrain from posting inappropriate or derogatory language and political statements.
Please be aware that any information on the worldwide web and this website can be searched through the various search engines (i.e. Google, MSN, Yahoo, Netscape, etc.).
Any comments regarding a specific person or place is available to be viewed & read by thousands of people. Any inappropriate or derogatory statements could be considered libel and legal action may be taken.
Re: "Laid Out"
Posted by Kay on 2/7/2009, 12:09 pm, in reply to ""Laid Out""
24.217.72.214
This thread got me curious, so I did a little research. Losing those we love is never easy, and we humans have created many euphemisms to describe death and dying - "passed away", "gone to meet his/her maker", "gave up the spirit", etc. People who felt the usual terminology was offensive or not delicate enough would just find another term they felt less offended by. Back to the term "laid out". It is definitely not a regional thing. It came to the U.S. along with our European ancestors. In the 1800's, funeral homes did not exist in the form they do today, and neither did hospitals. Most people died at home, and it was up to their relatives to do the "laying out" which referred to the process oreparing the body for viewing and burial by washing and dressing it as well as laying it flat (on a board or door) before rigor mortis set in. The "visitation" or "paying respects" took place in the family's parlor, since this was generally the nicest room on the house. Burial took place 24-48 hours after death since embalming was not a common practice. If the family had the funds, a hearse was hired to lead the procession and transport the body to the cemetery. Other times, the family's own horse and wagon or a neighbors was used. Usually the casket was home made as well and hardware stores kept the special hardware and supplies necessary in stock. Today, most people die in a hospital and are transported to the funeral home where, for a price, all these things are done for us. Apparently the people in Des Moines feel offended by the term "laid out" (which I also found meant "last offices") and decided to use other terms they felt were more delicate. FYI, there is actualy a "Museum of Funeral Customs" in Springfield, Il. Their website is at www.funeralcustoms.com
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Welcome to Comanche Chat!
This is where you can reconnect with old friends, talk about your high school days and be updated on various events.
It is not an open forum to trash Cahokia or any individuals working there (past,present or future).While we understand that you may have personal issues with some individuals, we are sure that you can understand our need to require standards on this chat room. It is listed as an educational site and anyone regardless of age can have access to it. The Alumni Association is a non-political organization. Please refrain from posting inappropriate or derogatory language and political statements.
Please be aware that any information on the worldwide web and this website can be searched through the various search engines (i.e. Google, MSN, Yahoo, Netscape, etc.).
Any comments regarding a specific person or place is available to be viewed & read by thousands of people. Any inappropriate or derogatory statements could be considered libel and legal action may be taken.
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