I have done a funeral before now, as it's been said it can be harrowing. I was left emotionally exhausted by the end of the day and it made it very hard to take any kind of decent shots. It takes a clinical detachment from the events sometimes to perform your best.
As to why the family wanted the shots, many people after a funeral who couldn't attend, didn't want to attended or couldn't bear to look at their relation at peace. The photographs went into an album and may help down the line to give those relations the peace and may ease their guilt for not being able to deal with it at the time.
I am sorry for your loss. You did an incredible job paying tribute. When I saw the thread title, I wasn't quite sure how it would be done but you did so in an elegant and respectful way.
It's so hard to put words to my thoughts. But you did capture a sad occassion with a great taste. Having lost my uncle recently (we were close) the sorrow you feel before the funeral is terrible, but after the funeral it's like you've had said your good bye in a beautiful manner. I was debating of bringing my camera to the funeral, but I was not concentrating enough to be able to photograph anyway.
I'm so sorry for your loss and my deepest sympathy to your cousins family.
I too got chills looking at your photos. Simply put, they were WONDERFULLY done and this was an excellent tribute. I am very sorry to hear of your loss.
I too was asked to photograph the funeral of a relative, a very close uncle who died quite unexpectedly. I only photographed the breakfast after the funeral. I found the entire experience totaly exhausting emotionally. I must say that looking at your photographs that they display exceptional love and care as well as above average photographic skill. I know it must have been very very hard for you to perform this service. I also know from my own experience deeply the family values such an effort. My deepest condolences on your loss.
I have passed on this thread several times because the idea of photography at a funeral was something I thought inappropriate.
After seeing this stay up high in the list and grow to three pages, curiousity got the best of me. Now that I have viewed the pictures, I must say I was very moved by them.
This was a very respectful and exceptionally well done documentary of the funeral and a wonderful tribute to the deceased. My hat is off to you for (a) having the ability to do this during a time of profound grief; (b) having such tremendous artistic talent; and, (c) having the sensitivity and maturity to put this together so well.
I can see where this has been therapuetic, and I, along with the others, extend my sympathies for your loss.
I'm so sorry for you loss. How sad your family must be to loose him. I agree the pictures are beautiful. You capture the emotion... your compassion shows in every image. They will love having this memorial.
