Not being from England, I'm unable to speak with authority as to why it is less common; however, I could hazard a guess as to it being more common in the U.S. due to customs associated with our civil war and bodies being embalmed and shipped back to their families for a final viewing. read more
Open casket funerals are a sign that not only does America have an overtly Victorian way of saying goodbye, but that it has a difficult time saying goodbye—at least to outdated, morbid traditions. For me, this is one tradition I was happy to say goodbye to. read more