Jamaican funeral directors call for dignity as loud music and poor conduct rise at burials

Long-serving members of Jamaica’s funeral industry say they are increasingly concerned that some burials are no longer being treated with the respect they deserve. They argue that processions and graveside services, traditionally associated with hymns and solemn remembrance, are in some instances being accompanied by blaring music with unsuitable lyrics, prompting calls for stronger professional controls.

Calvin Lyn, president of the Jamaica Association of Certified Embalmers and Funeral Directors and director of Lyn's Funeral Home, described the trend as "disgraceful".

"And not only the music, but the volume they are playing it. You even see attendants set sideways on the running board; it is a capital 'no'. But for me and the organisation I lead, we are in total opposition to that," he said.

Lyn told The Weekend Star that, in his view, the behaviour is becoming more visible. He said the association has cautioned its members not to take part in such practices.

"They are even coming from funerals and still playing. We tell our members don't do that. You don't need to be playing music coming from funerals to attract attention or to advertise. We are against it and that is not dignified."

With more than 50 years in funeral service, Lyn said families normally provide the music they would like played at ceremonies or along the route. However, he said funeral homes still have a duty to judge whether the choices suit the seriousness of the occasion.

"The selection comes from the family, like the Jehovah Witnesses, they have different choruses from Church of God, United etc. So they will bring tape and thumb drive of favourite choruses of the deceased, but those are appropriate songs," he emphasised.

Peter Perry, director of Perry's Funeral Home, agreed that funeral operators should not automatically use every song brought by relatives without first checking the material.

"Once you have the body in the hearse, you should only play gospel or any of those singing songs, but you have to vet the type of songs families give," he said.

Perry said he was particularly troubled by operators who continue playing music after the interment is finished.

"Carry the hearse go park in silence. But they are playing songs with all bad words. This is getting out of hand."

Lyn said no grieving family has ever personally asked him to play music he found unsuitable. If that happened, he said, "but I would tell them point blank I wouldn't play it".

According to Lyn, one reason standards are weakening is that some people are joining the funeral business without training or a full appreciation of what the profession requires.

"We, Lyn's Funeral Home, introduced sacred music on the hearse. We selected the good old hymns, but what has happened in recent times is that the government refuses to put in a regulation. But we are trained abroad, we have dignity and discipline and what it takes to operate a proper funeral. They (offenders) are just hurry come up, fly by night because they are not trained."

Perry expressed a similar concern, saying some operators are "loose people" who "don't respect the industry".

"Hence anything goes for them, they don't have class," he said.

Lyn said families already have spaces such as nine-nights and wakes where they can honour loved ones in a more personal and relaxed way. He said he has also heard of conduct that, to him, shows how much funeral etiquette has declined.

"Someone called me that they saw someone actually going in the church smoking ganja. Now, 20 years ago when I was driving hearse, they were at the door. So this is where they are," he said.

Perry warned that the problem may grow if the sector does not respond. He called on funeral professionals to safeguard the reputation of their work and not lower their standards simply to appear "hot and trendy".

Reverend Dr Al Miller, a well-known clergyman who has conducted many funerals, said the reports were not shocking to him, though he has not seen such behaviour himself.

"If you are having 'thinking change', you are going to have behaviour change. This highlights the changing value of society," he said.

Miller said the shift can also be seen in how some people dress when attending funeral services.

"Many have raised the concern, and they are deeply concerned, but we are raising a generation that has no clear moral guide and principles to determine action. There is no decorum on what is acceptable and not acceptable."

He said songs chosen for funerals should support reflection instead of pulling attention away from the purpose of the service.

Miller added that funeral music should be used "to comfort and encourage and to build up and speak to a consciousness of their own mortality".

"The funeral homes themselves should take responsibility, because are they holding the values or are they letting other factors determine what they do?"