Why Legs Are Covered in Caskets: Respect and Consideration
There are a few things that are relatively common in funeral settings, and one of these that some people are familiar with is frequent covering of legs for any open-casket or similar casket approach. Did you know that there are actually several reasons why this is often done?
At McDougal Funeral Home, we're here to offer caring, personalized funeral planning and other funeral services to clients around Salt Lake City, Taylorsville, West Valley City and nearby areas of Utah. Caskets and their presentation are areas we'll help you with in any way required, including determining whether or not to cover the legs of the departed in an open-casket setting with a blanket, the casket lid or some other covering. In this two-part blog series, we'll go over some of the common reasons why legs are usually covered here, plus what to think about when making this decision.
Out of Simple Respect
The most common reason for covering legs in an open-casket setting is that the primary focus of these showings is the departed's face, and covering the legs can help draw focus to that area. It's also simply respectful, as it gives a more dignified and formal appearance – something that helps create an atmosphere of respect for those who are present in the room.
Furthermore, it's also a way to help preserve the dignity of the departed, as in many cases people choose open caskets so others can say their final goodbye and pay respects. During this time, it can be more respectful and less distracting for their legs to be covered.
Drawing Attention Away from Trauma
In cases where the departed passed away due to injury or trauma, covering their legs can also draw attention away from any potential injuries and focus it back on the face of the deceased. This is especially important when children are involved, as young people often have a difficult time dealing with death already – let alone if they were to see visible trauma associated with it.
For instance, if the departed was killed in a car accident that left their legs injured, the sight of this may be too much for some family members to handle. As such, covering the legs can provide a more dignified image that's still respectful but doesn't traumatize those who are attending the service.
Foot Swelling
In other cases, another common reason for covering the legs is simple foot swelling. While this may not be a factor in every open-casket funeral, when it does occur it can create an issue that's best solved by simply covering the feet and lower legs with a blanket of some type.
This helps maintain the dignity of the departed while at the same time avoiding a spotlight on an issue that could be embarrassing or painful for those paying their respects.
In part two of our series, we'll discuss more aspects to consider when determining whether or not to cover the deceased's legs in an open-casket setting. For now, if you're looking for quality funeral services from an experienced team, contact our staff at McDougal Funeral Home today for more information on any of our caring services.
