In modern culture, we’re held to a set of norms and a whole host of expectations. Among them, the subject of death is something most of us try to distance ourselves from.
We’re brought up to expect everything to be positive and happy. We like to think that death is something that happens to other families. Death is a private, almost shameful, thing; something we’re reluctant to talk about.
Not if you’re from Celtic stock.
For us Celts, death is never taboo or something that has to be hidden. It’s an event in which family and friends gather in both mourning and celebration. And, new research conducted by a top university in Ireland concludes that dealing with death the Celtic way is proven to help people cope better with bereavement.
Of course, I’m talking about the Celtic tradition of holding a wake prior to the funeral during which family, friends, neighbours, work colleagues and acquaintances can come to pay their respects and support the bereaved. Most people associate a wake with the Irish but wakes are held in Scotland, Scandinavia and Canada too.
When my late husband’s father died, he happened to be in Scotland on business. Thomas Quigley came from a very large family in the west of Ireland and owned a bunch of old-fashioned barber shops not only in Ireland but in Scotland too. Mr. Quigley wanted to be buried in his hometown in Ireland.
There were a lot of them Quigleys there. They owned the pub, the bakery, the barber shops, the hairdressers, the solicitors, the ice cream parlour …and the undertakers.
Dying in Scotland was a bit inconvenient at the time but seeing as Giovanni and I both worked for airlines at the time, we were able to get Mr. Quigley flown over to Dublin from Glasgow.
We made all the plans and even managed to get seats on the same flight as the coffin which we saw being loaded onto the aircraft as we waited in our seats on board. A lot of people are superstitious about a “dead soul” being aboard. Luckily, airlines put coffins inside a large steel box so passengers don’t instantly recognise it as a coffin.
Soon, we arrive at Dublin to be met by Mr. Quigley’s brother driving the family hearse. Also meeting us at Dublin Airport were several other family members. And so, we all set off in a convoy of vehicles following the hearse to the other side of Ireland.
From Dublin to Donegal is quite a way to go so about two hours along, the hearse pulls up outside a pub. I kid you not!
“I’m hungry and thirsty,” says Jimmy Quigley, the hearse driver and funeral director. “Sit yourselves down and I’ll bring the food and drinks out.”
So there we are, sitting alongside the hearse with passers-by and other pub customers asking “Who’s that in the coffin, Jimmy?”
“’Tis Tommy Quigley,” says Jimmy.
It’s the Celtic way.
Next week: Part Two of the Celtic Way.
Sue Quigley writes regularly for the Hernando Sun. Contact her at [email protected] or at 727.247.6308.
