A Time and Place for Everything - Informal Memorials to Dead People

[Phil D. Rolls]

Tin hat time.

Anybody else thoroughly pissed off with these tawdry memorials that people erect to some family member who has died in a car crash?

IMO though it is a tragedy for the family and friends of the deceased, why do the rest of us have to have their suffering inflicted on us?

In East Kilbride (or some such sh*thole in the West) they have actually had to ban people from erecting impromptu memorials in a popular park. There argument, is that they upset many park users.

What people should remember is that we all lose people at some point in our lives. Some people don't want to be constantly reminded of the grim reaper's presence, and that is why there is a time and a place for mourning.

By all means shoot me down in flames - but please try to use logic, rather than knee jerk reactions. Who knows, you might change the way I think.

[Jack]

Agreed, and I’ve heard about that public park in the west. The council were quite right – although I think park benches are a nice touch for this sort of thing.

Any reference to the grim reaper, yours included, reminds me of the story of the guy in LA, I think it was, who was arrested for going round the gardens of old folks homes dressed as the grime reaper peering through the windows! If, I should have said when, the grim reaper ever comes for me I’ll probably burst out laughing

[Wembley67]

Tin hat time.

Anybody else thoroughly pissed off with these tawdry memorials that people erect to some family member who has died in a car crash?

IMO though it is a tragedy for the family and friends of the deceased, why do the rest of us have to have their suffering inflicted on us?

In East Kilbride (or some such sh*thole in the West) they have actually had to ban people from erecting impromptu memorials in a popular park. There argument, is that they upset many park users.

What people should remember is that we all lose people at some point in our lives. Some people don't want to be constantly reminded of the grim reaper's presence, and that is why there is a time and a place for mourning.

By all means shoot me down in flames - but please try to use logic, rather than knee jerk reactions. Who knows, you might change the way I think.

Nothing against floral memorials but they should be cleared away after a certain time, 4 weeks maybe. Seeing bundles of dead flowers tied to a lampost isn't really pleasing to the eye.

[steakbake]

I would agree with pretty much everything there.

Anyone who is familiar with greek roads knows the freakishly regular intervals of shrines dedicated to lost family members and the effect it can have on your nerves and concentration.

My particular favourites are teddy bears, football jerseys and windmills.

Bones are for the bone yard.

[stu in nottingham]

I don't particular enjoy the spectacle. If it makes someone grieving feel a little better in some way though that's fine. We all feel differently about these issues.

Personally I find them rather sad. They very quickly become quite tawdry looking as the flowers die. Nor do I see a reason to denote the place where say, someone died in a car accident as very poignant. They didn't live their life in that tragic spot nor should the person need to be commemorate there instead of the appointed place of their internment of laying of the ashes. I'd defer to others who think differently though if it helps them in some way.

It certainly doesn't offend my sensibilities seeing these things, more makes me slightly curious at this relatively new phenomenon and what some might claim as it's increasing ostentatiousness, if that's not too strong a word.