When my father passed away last November friends with cultural backgrounds where an open casket is the norm were surprised when I told them there would be no viewing. The funeral director did ask my brother who arranged the funeral whether we wanted an open casket viewing, and without consulting me or my other brothers he gave what was pretty much an immediate FUCK, NO. This is something my family never does, and I don't think it's much of a Dutch tradition in general. Dad was buried in a suit, but that's pretty much what he wore all his life.
My father was private to the point of being anti-social, so my youngest brother argued that we not even have a reception after the funeral. My oldest brother, however, arranged the reception anyway, saying it was a social obligation and that Dad's former colleagues and fellow church goers would expect it (also, the Knights of Columbus, of which our father was a member, let us have their hall for free). My middle brother and I stayed out of it. Is there ever such a thing as a funeral without a family argument?
I'm going to be cremated with no prior viewing, so as far as I'm concerned I can be shoved into the oven butt naked. No point burning up a good outfit which could be donated. According to my Catholic upbringing where I'm going it's going to be damned hot anyway.
