Duane Knight Funeral Photography Research Paper

The documentary What Remains follows photographer Sally Mann’s life over a span of five years as she balances being a mother, wife and photographer. In the film viewers are able to get an intimate glimpse of Mann’s creative process as she captures various images of her loved ones, landscapes, and even a new series that explores death. In this paper I will discuss Mann’s work detailing the criticism it receives as well as how my experience as a novice photographer parallels hers.

Painful as it may be, such experiences brings home the finality of death. Something deep within us demands a confrontation with death. A last look assures us that the person we loved is, indeed, gone forever.” (108) Cable finishes his essay by asking, Tim if his job ever depressed him. Tim in reply says, “No it doesn’t, and I do what I can for people and take satisfaction in enabling relatives to see their loved ones as they were in real life.” (108) After reading this essay I feel as though sometimes we don’t understand death so therefore we do not talk much about it. By reading about what goes on after your loved one dies and is sent to these places to be prepared and ready for burial, it helps to understand why morticians and funeral directors do what they do. Knowing that someone enjoys taking the responsibility in providing that comfort in a sorrowful time makes me appreciate these people in these occupations a bit

Coroners, originated in England during the early 10th century and transitioned over to the the United States in the 1600’s. Coroners were not required to have any medical training and were appointed by the King and Queen, up until the year 1888, when they would be appointed by local committees. In the United States a coroner would serve two to four years as an official, their duties included investigating the cause of death of an invidduials who is believed to have died by the hands of another or from an accident (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014). In attrition to investigations made by the coroner, they had the responsibility to , assess the assets and wealth of the deceased, as well as tax collection (James, Nordby, & Bell, 2014)

The article, “10 Burdens Funeral Directors Carry”, written by Caleb Wilde expresses the unique struggles of those working the funeral business. They face numerous challenges through trying to aid and support those mourning a loved one. This often over looked and underappreciated field offers a salient as well as specific service desperately needed by each community. By encountering: depression, psychosis, isolation, stress, workaholism and death itself funeral directors make numerous personal sacrifices to continue to provide honor and respect to the dead.

The MacDonald Funeral Home website provides pathos with explaining that the home has been helping families by providing an understanding, meaningful, as well as caring funeral for the past 34 years. This website offers many photos that provide an emotional experience to the reader, such as photos of their family, photos of the recent obituaries, as well as photos explaining that they cremate people's loved ones using care. The website has lots of green, which provides the reader with feelings of growth, balance, harmony, and hope. Oddly curved shapes (natural/organic shapes) tend to comfort and please the

Criticisms of American funeral practices have been made publicly aware since the 1920’s, and actually go back to ancient times in the scope of human’s ceremonies for the dead. Since the first published argument against modern funerals various authors joined the movement publishing their disparagements of customs for the deceased; that in essence contend the grandiosity and lavish displays are merely a social and psychological representation of the monetary opportunity of funerals (DeSpelder & Strickland, 2015, p. 306-307). Even further, regarding the encompassing funeral industry as exploiting grieving loved ones for their financial gains, while disregarding the actual needs of modern society (DeSpelder & Strickland, 2015, p. 307).

Arlington Cemetery as a whole is a very hard thing to put into words. The view of seeing hundreds of thousands of white headstones is incredible but also depressing. Million of people visit the cemetery every year to see just how many people actually died serving their country. The changing of the guard is an amazing site due to the absolute perfection that the guards are expected to do and do. The whole cemetery is an honorable place to be buried and an honorable place to visit.

Arlington is a burial site specifically for veterans and their families. But John F. Kennedy was an exception. He died November 22, 1963. Ironically he visited Arlington and during the visit he made the statements “ I could stay here forever” His wife Jacqueline Kennedy made the final decision to have J.F.K buried at Arlington gravesite. With burials of his children beside him. The eternal flame was placed at his burial site. This flame never goes out representing kennedy’s memory that will last

For over 40 years, the company has been constructing beautiful headstones, gravestones, and monuments for families in the Finger Lakes area. They understand that your loved one is more than a fleeting memory; they will live forever in your heart. Similarly, a gravestone will be a long-lasting physical memorial to them.

The history of a Medical examiners origin started in France and Scotland and was brought to the United States in the late 1800s. A medical examiner is an appointed medically qualified officer whose duty is to investigate deaths and bodily injuries that occur under unusual or suspicious circumstances, to perform post-mortems, and sometimes to initiate inquests. The medical examiner (ME) is the person in charge of the forensic investigation of a death that has occurred in his or her area of jurisdiction, whether it is a homicide, suicide, accident, or other suspicious death. He or she has a number of tasks to carry out, chief of which is the determination of the cause and manner of the death through performing an autopsy . The medical examiner also takes charge of the analysis of evidence , works with the police investigating the scene of the crime, and presents evidence in court. In short, the ME is involved in both the medical and legal sides of a forensic investigation.

Scott Peek Photography is a photography studio that is located in Plano, Texas. They specialize in family, children, high school seniors, and commercial portraiture. Scott Peek Photography also conducts event photography for corporations, companies, and non-profit organizations having parties, conferences, and meetings. Since 2009, they have been a proud member of the Professional Photographers of America and Texas Professional Photographers Association, Inc. Scott Peek Photography has been recognized as the Dallas A List’s Best Portrait Photographer.

In his book, Dying Well (1998), Dr. Ira Byock artistically brings a sense of humanity and compassion to a topic so often dismissed and silenced: death. Dr. Byock’s personal experience with his dying father shaped his views on caring for terminally ill patients. Through his father’s death, Dr. Byock recognized the importance of familial support, how to communicate openly, and to make the last moments of one’s life meaningful. These lessons are evident in his telling of Anne-Marie’s, Douglas’s, and Janelle’s prospective end of life stories.

Many of us want to be remembered when we pass away. For most, the best way is through an obituary. Almost every day, there are numerous obituaries submitted to many newspapers, such as The New York Times. There are brief obituaries submitted by family members in which the said deceased individual played a major role throughout his/her life (whether it be charity or a major work accomplishment) and there are longer obituary articles written by reporters, usually on a well-known individual. When looking at those two kinds of obituary articles, there are many similarities and differences.

Task 1, in this paper I choose to research Dahl Funeral Home. I will be discussing the facility’s location, history and services provided. Dahl Funeral home was first recognized in 1865 by Henry Dahl, which was located on Main St. in Cedar Falls. Later in 1983, it was relocated to 703 Washington St. In 1968, Sylvester Van Hove and Merwin Schoof purchased the funeral home from Dahl Family and later moved it to 1825 W, 12th Street, Cedar Falls. This facility hosts three licensed funeral directors on staff, who can aid in answering questions. Dahl Funeral home contains a chapel, which seating capacity for 250 people. It also includes two comfortable visitation rooms, a large foyer, as well as a lounge.

Mar G. Berg, Repitions and Reflections in Chronicle of a Death Foretold, Division of the Humanities and Social Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California. http://authors.library.caltech.edu/18939/1/HumsWP-0110.pdf