Scottish funeral customs

[piperdbh]

I've been wondering about traditional Scottish funeral customs, such as draping a coffin with tartan, burying someone wearing a kilt or arisaidh, throwing a handful of dirt onto the lowered casket, etc. Does anyone here have any knowledge about what's usually done?

When I play the 'pipes for a funeral, I usually strike in when the hearse arrives at the cemetary, then play hymns until the family has gathered under the tent. Most of the time, they want "Amazing Grace" somewhere toward the end of the committal, after any military honors. I hate having to play at the church/funeral home, because to me, the 'pipes sound better outside. Most folks (whom I've played for) prefer some music at the cemetary, too.

What other traditions/customs are there regarding a Scottish send-off?

[Jock Scot]

There are variations to this, but what I am about to describe would be the "normal" Highland Scots funeral.

The hearse will deliver the coffin to the church, the coffin is often put on a stretcher type thing(the name escapes me) and friends and relatives 4 or 6 will take it in turns to carry it to the church and after the service to the grave yard, or, back to the hearse if going to a crematorium. Often there is a piper who will pipe the coffin to the grave. I must have been to dozens of highland funerals and I have never seen the coffin draped in tartan. Flags yes.

At the grave side, often names of friends and family are read out and they will step forward to take hold of the lowering ropes. All that wish to will throw a small handful of earth on top of the coffin as they depart. Cremations are not common ,getting more so, and are usually only attended by close family and special friends, after a church service that is attended by all that wish to be there.

If you google "Clan Macleod" you will find pictures of the late Chief John's funeral. That is as traditional as you will get.Hope this helps.

[Stravaiger]

The funerals that I have attended in Scotland have been fairly standard affairs, with no tartan around, except on the mourners. It's personal choice though, so no reason not to have the coffin decked in tartan if that's what the family want. No reason not to be buried in your kilt, but I haven't heard of it - probably because most kilt wearers over here will only own one or two kilts, and they tend to be inherited by the sons. There's something special about wearing a kilt that's a couple of generations old & still going strong.

[Highland Logan]

If you google "Clan Macleod" you will find pictures of the late Chief John's funeral. That is as traditional as you will get.Hope this helps.

Link!

Frank

[Jock Scot]

Link!

Frank

Thank you HL. There were more pictures, so it may pay to have a further hunt. Do you notice that tweed argylls are the norm with the kilt wearers. Even the new Chief, Hugh and his brother are dressed in tweed. Also for the evening gathering at the castle, sweaters and tweed are the dress. This worrying about which jacket,sporran,hose is a non issue here.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

When "The Ilk" (Sir Iain Moncrieff of that Ilk) left us, he was taken to his final resting place on a small cart pulled by his lawn tractor, followed by his many friends and admirers.

[JSFMACLJR]

Here is some information from the late Duke of Argyll's funeral. His coffin was covered in tartan ( it looks like his plaid from the newspaper photo ).

http://www.electricscotland.com/webc...uke_argyll.jpg

[Leprechaun 91]

I had the privileged to meet the Duke when I was a teen. Very gracious man. Proud to have him as my clan Chief.

[Stratherrick]

I was given a little card at my great aunt's funeral by the undertaker. It had an outline of a coffin on it with six tiny circles at evenly spaced out points around the edge of the coffin. One of them was a completely black dot. This indicated my position when lowering her actual coffin with ropes into her grave. My own late father, also an undertaker said this was peculiar to Scottish burials.

At the wake, we had a dram and some oatmeal biscuits, as well as other food and drink. The dram and oatmeal biscuits were the minimum to be offered to all guests travelling, from whatever distance, and also fitted in with Highland hospitality customs.

Slainte

Bruce