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Greenberry Rayl

Updated Oct 17, 2024
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Greenberry Rayl
This is a photo of Greenberry Rayl, great grandfather of Rebecca Rayl Griffis. Greenberry was born Oct. 20, 1845 Switzerland County, Indiana. Died on his 75th birthday Oct. 20, 1920 in Tipton County, Indiana.
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Although some people now take "coffin photos", they aren't as common as they were in the past.
Photo of Laura Bentley Laura Bentley
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07/18/2018
I actually love them and collect the ones I can find that are affordable.
Photo of Dona Winkle Maul Dona Winkle Maul
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07/18/2018
I have such a photo of my maternal great grandmother.
Photo of Kristi Jackson Kristi Jackson
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07/18/2018
I have a several coffin photos of my fathers family. It was the “norm” for family members to take photos of their dearly departed. I grew up never thinking of it as odd. But now that I am an adult, I have learned that most of my friends don’t have photos of their dead family members in their photo albums. 🤷🏼‍♀️ Oh well, got to love them “southern” traditions.
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
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07/18/2018
Oh! Is it a Southern tradition? My gr grandmother was from Kentucky but died in Washington - I didn't associate the practice with a particular area. But maybe it is??
Photo of Joan Pasquarelli Joan Pasquarelli
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07/18/2018
I to grew up in the south and thought nothing of it because it was something that was done .I also have pictures
Photo of Kristi Jackson Kristi Jackson
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07/18/2018
My fathers family (for generations) was from Georgia, and it was something they all done. I have found through research that it was a common practice for southerners. But perhaps it was common for other areas as well. 🤷🏼‍♀️
Photo of Michelle Walker Michelle Walker
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07/18/2018
I have one of my grandmother who lived in Alabama. It was the only photo I had of her for a long time. Then discovered one other. I think in some cases it was because no other pictures existed, and they wanted something to remember them by.
Photo of Michelle Jolley Michelle Jolley
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07/18/2018
AncientFaces No my family also continues the practice of taking these photos and we're from Connecticut. I have a few of my relatives coffin photos as well as one of my granddaughter on her bier. Sometimes it's the only thing you have to remember and hold on to those you love.
Photo of Kristi Jackson Kristi Jackson
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07/18/2018
Michelle Walker the only photo I have ever seen of my grandmother is her coffin photo. She died a couple years before I was born.
Photo of Linda Haydell Linda Haydell
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07/18/2018
For some families it was probably the only photo of the deceased they had. I too remember.
Photo of Debbie Wakefield Shull Debbie Wakefield Shull
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07/18/2018
My family is very southern, and never did this, as far as I know. .Never run across this in my very large family tree. My ancestors are from GA, NC, SC and VA.
Photo of Tina Cox Tina Cox
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07/18/2018
Michelle Walker That is what I thought also, better than no pictures. I grew up in Tennessee and didn't think bad of coffin pictures
Photo of Kristine Shafer Kristine Shafer
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07/18/2018
Grew up on the northern plains and after a hundred years, our family still takes a final picture of loved ones in their casket. It's a way of honoring their whole life.
Photo of Karron Lundy Karron Lundy
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07/18/2018
Why do you think this is a southern tradition. I'm a southerner and I don't like it. And only an idiot northerner would make such a wicked comment! Turd!!!!!
Photo of Karron Lundy Karron Lundy
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07/18/2018
No
Photo of Kristi Jackson Kristi Jackson
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07/18/2018
Karron Lundy I am the one that mentioned “southern tradition” and I was born & raised in Florida. That’s pretty darn southern. 😉And no one said you had to like the practice of post mortem photography. Calm down.
Photo of Debbie Blunt-Reed Debbie Blunt-Reed
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07/18/2018
Karron Lundy from your page...🤷‍♀️
Photo of Susana M Frushour Susana M Frushour
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07/18/2018
We have one of my husband’s aunt in her coffin at the gravesite. Hispanic/Native American.
Photo of Karron Lundy Karron Lundy
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07/19/2018
But that is so sad.
Photo of Kelly Shoemaker Mohr Kelly Shoemaker Mohr
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07/19/2018
I think Photos were a rarity so people only took them on meaningful moments - coffin photos were just a way to always remember loved ones. We can not take the meaning behind them out of the time or context - death was normal and part of everyday life - moderne westerners think of it as a horrible fate when in reality, most cultures revere or celebrate it. I also have many Family coffin photos.
Photo of Michelle Mccormick Michelle Mccormick
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07/18/2018
No,thank goodness my family didn’t do that,I know I wouldn’t do that,I can’t even stand taking or looking at photos of babies and children asleep
Photo of Tiffany Zerwin Colson Tiffany Zerwin Colson
via Facebook
07/18/2018
My grandma still takes photos of people in their coffins. I had to organize her photos and I made one album just for funeral photos. I understand why it was done but its really not necessary nowadays.
Photo of Debbie J Anderson Debbie J Anderson
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I took pictures of my Grandpa in his casket without anyone knowing. A few months later I told my Grandma I had the pictures. She was happy that I took them and said she couldn't remember what the casket looked like because of her grief. She also said he was worth the money she spent on laying him to rest.
Photo of Brenda Thorne Veazey Brenda Thorne Veazey
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07/18/2018
We have coffin photos of several family members. My mother asks if it's okay for us to do so at every funeral.
Photo of Linda Klein Linda Klein
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07/18/2018
Except for heads of state, I don't think they should be taken. It is in bad taste.
Photo of Sharon Burns Sharon Burns
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07/18/2018
It depends on the person. If you don't like them you don't have to have them. It's the last image you'll ever have of someone you love, looking peaceful and not in pain. At the very least it's a memory of a major event you may be in too much grief to remember. It's only bad taste if it's disrespectful.
Photo of Linda Klein Linda Klein
via Facebook
07/18/2018
To me it is disrespectful just to take the photo of them showing how they look dead. It is disregard for their right to privacy. When they are dead they are unable to stop you. I know I would not want anyone to take my picture. Take as many pictures as possible when the person is alive. Look at them often and remember them at their best. This is my feeling. I was asked to express it and I did so. Other people feel differently and they have a right to express that also. Even viewing of the body should be limited. I remember two horrible supervisors I had at work, who attended an employee's funeral and made fun of the way he looked in his coffin and even laughed out loud when they got back to work.
Photo of Lee Ann Forester Train Lee Ann Forester Train
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07/18/2018
Sharon Burns dead isn’t peaceful it’s just dead.
Photo of Dwayne Panzeter Dwayne Panzeter
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07/18/2018
I wouldn't do it myself, but as a custom it's definitely subjective. If someone took a post-mortem of you or me, it might be a violation, while if it's a family tradition, the person would probably expect this to happen to them and give consent. Different strokes.
Photo of Dwayne Panzeter Dwayne Panzeter
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07/18/2018
And Lee Ann, dead can also be relatively peaceful if the departed has been fighting illness for some time. Let people grieve in their own way.
Photo of Jessica Estevis Jessica Estevis
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07/18/2018
Post mortem pictures are huge in the Hispanic culture. Although it gives me chills, we see it as treasuring their last physical presence with us. So I grew very accustomed to seeing this.
Photo of Patsy Clymer Patsy Clymer
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07/18/2018
How do you put a picture on here.
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
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07/18/2018
You can share a photo on "visitor posts". :)
Photo of Patsy Clymer Patsy Clymer
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07/18/2018
AncientFaces thanks
Photo of Patsy Clymer Patsy Clymer
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07/18/2018
Where's the visitors post section ?
Go to their website, click on Share your memories. AncientFaces
Photo of Patsy Clymer Patsy Clymer
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07/18/2018
Pat Burden thanks.
Photo of Nancy Thompson Nancy Thompson
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07/18/2018
I'd rather see a "coffin" photo than one of a dead person propped up and sitting with the rest of the family.
Photo of Alana Doss Alana Doss
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07/18/2018
Right??
Photo of Alana Doss Alana Doss
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07/18/2018
For some it may have been one of the only photos taken of them. The family wanted to remember their loved one, and there's no harm in that.
Photo of Jenny Mclarney Jenny Mclarney
via Facebook
07/20/2018
What a shame then that they could afford to have a picture taken of them in death but not when they were alive .
Photo of Anna Gardner Anna Gardner
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07/18/2018
I have these photos of a few relatives. I think it’s sad that they are the only photos I have of these family members.
Photo of Melissa Oxendine-Campos Melissa Oxendine-Campos
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07/18/2018
I took photos of my father after his death. It was the last time I would ever see his physical body & wanted to remember that. I'm not sure why there's such a stigma surrounding them.
Photo of Connie Taylor Cason Connie Taylor Cason
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I took a picture of my 17 year old brother in his coffin in 2001.
Photo of Kathryn Donahue Kathryn Donahue
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I've collected some of these. However, I think these days we have so many photos of our loved ones ALIVE to remember them by that we perhaps don't feel the need to capture them in death.
Photo of Lynden Mcdonald Lynden Mcdonald
via Facebook
07/18/2018
My crazy mother in law wanted the undertaker to take photos of my deceased husband which I refused due the gruesome circumstances of his death..but she was a hillbilly and still pretty common in the hills of Appalachia
Photo of Deedra Winey Deedra Winey
via Facebook
07/18/2018
It was a different time and usually they had no photo of the person alive.I found a 'dead baby' picture from my family many years ago at a local antique shop.It fascinates me,saddens me,etc.That baby is remembered though because of that picture.
Photo of Sue Wilks Sue Wilks
via Facebook
07/18/2018
It's fine, and better than the alternative. I discovered a merchant seaman ancestor. Every time a close relative died, there was a service, but the burial wasn't held until the ship came in. Sometimes it was a month later!
Personal choice. If you like it, do it. If not, then dont.
Photo of Sandra Patterson Sandra Patterson
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I have two photos of my mother’s 5-yr-old brother who died during the 1918 flu epidemic. Never thought that I would take pictures at a funeral but when my Aunt died my children were unable to attend her funeral so I took pictures to be able to show them.
Photo of Anna Hunter Anna Hunter
via Facebook
07/18/2018
Nope!!
Photo of Sandra Melton Horne Sandra Melton Horne
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I think some families didn't have photos, so these funeral photos were often the only ones ever taken of their loved ones. Those times have past, so I agree with you, nope.
Photo of Patsy Clymer Patsy Clymer
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I just wanted to put a picture on here of my Mom Alive to celebrate her birthday.
Photo of Connie Connie Connie Connie
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I have a coffin photo of my great grandfather (d. 1957) and my grandfather (d.1975).
Photo of Gidget Nelson Gidget Nelson
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I personally don't care for them, but to each there own. My family don't do this so its a little strange to me.
Photo of Annie Sweeney Annie Sweeney
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I really cannot even bear to see open coffin wakes anymore...
Photo of Annie Sweeney Annie Sweeney
via Facebook
07/18/2018
These days we probably have photos/videos of the deceased when alive. I cannot understand why anyone would want a post mortem photo. NO judgement. Read an article on embalming written by a mortician that might put you right off the practice.
Photo of Kristine Shafer Kristine Shafer
via Facebook
07/18/2018
My family does this as a way to acknowledge the entire life process of a family member, plus, my dad looked really nice in his casket and we loved him so very much! Thanks for your perspective.
Photo of Debra Sipes Debra Sipes
via Facebook
07/19/2018
I knew a woman once that had pictures and she said alot of times when family couldn’t come a long way for a funeral, that people took pictures to show others what a nice service their loved one had -
I say it is better to have it and not want it, than to want it and not have it.
Photo of Darlene Eldredge Darlene Eldredge
via Facebook
07/18/2018
If family can't see me while I'm here, you won't dare take photos of me deceased! I'll be back every dark and stormy night........
Photo of Lena Gargano-Reddy Lena Gargano-Reddy
via Facebook
07/18/2018
In Italy where I was born they did this to when grandfather died they sent a photo to my mum in his coffin
Photo of Marilyn Short Dauw Marilyn Short Dauw
via Facebook
07/18/2018
it was quite common years ago and for some families the one time they could afford to pay for a photographer
Photo of David Maroney David Maroney
via Facebook
07/18/2018
‘ dust to dust: let the rest of us get to Montana before a tragedy befalls us’
Photo of Ria Peice Ria Peice
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I have no problem with it.
Photo of Dawne Zotz Dawne Zotz
via Facebook
07/18/2018
They still do it in some Europe countries. We can choose to do the same.
Photo of Heather Dominguez Heather Dominguez
via Facebook
07/18/2018
Death photography is common in my family.
When my 2 year old nephew passed away, my sister made every decision regarding his funeral and burial, but I had to communicate with the funeral home and execute her wishes because her grief was crippling. This was 6 years ago, and she has no memory of the week between his death and funeral. We were fortunate to have the funeral service live streamed by the funeral home, and they gave us a copy. I took photos of everything before they opened the doors, including our sweet boy. She just last week finally asked if she could see the photos, and they helped calm her.
Yeah..but I don't like them.. and I don't want anyone to look upon me in death.. that way they will only have the memory of me alive..not the death imagine anywhere in their minds .
Photo of Rebecca Rued Rebecca Rued
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I feel the same way. I have viewed loved ones after they have passed, and I always feel as though I am looking at a shell...with the impression that they are not present. I prefer to have memories of them alive and vibrant.
Photo of Judy Madsen Judy Madsen
via Facebook
07/19/2018
Rebecca Rued I agree remember them living
Photo of Jackie Lobenthal Jackie Lobenthal
via Facebook
07/21/2018
Totally! No one is going to look at me.
Photo of Breanne Bennett Breanne Bennett
via Facebook
07/18/2018
Too creepy nowadays. They just did this kind of stuff back then because photographs were a lot more scarce.
Photo of Karron Lundy Karron Lundy
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I don't like it! Although my sister took pictures of our mother. It's too sad to look at those pictures!
Photo of Clinton Getzinger Clinton Getzinger
via Facebook
07/18/2018
The “old time” open coffin photos appeared more on my paternal German side of the family. Other than a couple of infants on my maternal side there really aren’t any. My German side lived in SD, ND, and WA.
Photo of Terry Hunt Korell Terry Hunt Korell
via Facebook
07/18/2018
Yes the only pictures I’ve ever seen of people in coffins was a German family.
Photo of Mary K Hartman Mary K Hartman
via Facebook
07/18/2018
No! Prefer to remember them while alive.
Photo of Jo Davis Jo Davis
via Facebook
07/18/2018
Some of my family in Utah took photos when someone died but I find it to be disturbing really. Most of the time they don’t even look like the person and I sure wouldn’t like my photo taken when I am dead.
Photo of Karron Lundy Karron Lundy
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I'm 68 years old and I'm from the south but I have never seen a picture of a deceased person until today! My sister took pictures of my mother and I was appaulled and I've never looked at those pictures. When my daddy passed I touched his hand and it was cold and hard, it turned off my grief. Like a light switch. Only Lazarus and a small girl was raised from the dead according to the Bible. By Jesus. Pictures cannot bring back the dead. And it seems morbid to take pictures of the dead. My personal opinion and it is not open for discussion.
Photo of Joy Midkiff Alba Joy Midkiff Alba
via Facebook
07/18/2018
My father always took coffin pictures. I dont. No one looks like they did in life in a coffin. I'd rather remember them that way but I understand that back in the day, heck even before digital photography, people just didn't take as many photos.
My eldest is 18. I couldn't afford to take as many pictures of her as I wanted when she was little. Now, with digital I'll take 50 pictures of my newborn just to get the 1 take I like. It's completely different now.
Photo of Lisa Davis Lisa Davis
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I feel pictures see our souls; all the moments in one's life, a death photo is a part of the ones that are left behind. They are all memories.
Photo of Thomas MacDonald Thomas MacDonald
via Facebook
07/18/2018
This is a casket (a beautiful one at that) rather than a coffin, which are anthropoidal in shape.
Photo of Laura Aynes Blanton Laura Aynes Blanton
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I have my grandparents in their coffins...its sad. It's the very last photo of them. :(
Photo of Karin McCauley Karin McCauley
via Facebook
07/18/2018
Growing up in Europe we don’t have viewings or open caskets ever. I was shocked the first time I went to a funeral here. The person that passed didn’t look at all like she looked when she was alive. Hair was totally wrong, funky makeup and I know she would have hated it. I thought I was at the wrong funeral🤮🤮🤮
Photo of Shirley K. Brown Shirley K. Brown
via Facebook
07/18/2018
I have a picture of my sister in her coffin and since I have no fear of death because I know I’m going to heaven the picture is precious to me
Photo of Sherry Hollett Sherry Hollett
via Facebook
07/19/2018
Such amazing pic’s
Photo of Nina Foster Nina Foster
via Facebook
07/19/2018
We have some of my mom at her funeral in 2000. At the time I didn’t know the tradition and thought it was weird that someone would want to take her picture but now I’m glad because it was the last time I would see her face. Ever.
Photo of Patricia Vincent Patricia Vincent
via Facebook
07/19/2018
Post mortem pictures were taken well before 1920. A way to memorialize the dead.
Photo of Fred Schiller Fred Schiller
via Facebook
07/19/2018
Death is as much a part of life as birth is ,
Embracing both is a memorial event,
I see nothing wrong with it,
In many cases
The person looks in a resting state, You know the person better the the attendant preparing your loved one
Do their hair and makeup your self, share the experience
I have many times
NEVER REGRETTING IT ,
Photo of Sophie Hurlet Sophie Hurlet
via Facebook
07/19/2018
I find those pics quite normal. In Belgium it was a tradition til the mid eighties. Now coffins are always closed.
Photo of Sharon Kay McNamara Sharon Kay McNamara
via Facebook
07/19/2018
My aunt lost 2 babies back in the 30s. I have pictures of both in their coffins.
Photo of Tawny McElroy Tawny McElroy
via Facebook
07/19/2018
All shut my bath to computer
Photo of Tawny McElroy Tawny McElroy
via Facebook
07/19/2018
Ignore that last comment.
Photo of Sharon Kay McNamara Sharon Kay McNamara
via Facebook
07/19/2018
Are you drunk again, Tawny? 😉😉😉
Photo of Carmiel Aldred Carmiel Aldred
via Facebook
07/19/2018
Families didn’t have lots of pictures of their loved ones.
Photo of Susan W. Milam Susan W. Milam
via Facebook
07/19/2018
I took pictures of my mother in her coffin because she looked so beautiful and at peace. I never had them developed. I didn’t take any when my son died and now I wish I had. I did take a couple of my MIL in her coffin with my phone, so have them. It just doesn’t seem to be an issue.
Photo of Lone Vissing Lone Vissing
via Facebook
07/19/2018
In Denmark we don't take pictures of dead people, normally we don't keep the coffin open
Photo of Judy Simonds Shafer Judy Simonds Shafer
via Facebook
07/20/2018
This was how things were done then. It may seem different but things we do now would seem different to them. Just take time & look back at family history & pictures. You will learn a lot about your family.
Photo of Debby Sprouse Abad Debby Sprouse Abad
via Facebook
07/20/2018
I dont really want to be sifting thru photos of my relatives and come across them in a coffin. I was so tempted to take one of my dad. He looked like he was sleeping peace fully and his coffin was surrounded by beautiful red poinsettias. But i said to myself, I’ll just keep him in my memory.
Photo of Brin Ash Brin Ash
via Facebook
08/12/2018
My mother's side of the family took coffin photos but each photo remained in that family and was not reproduced. My aunt took a photo of my mother, but I didn't want one. I had done my mother's hair, her makeup and polished her finger nails. Picked out her favorite clothes to wear.
Photo of Charlene Kowalski Charlene Kowalski
via Facebook
08/21/2018
When my grandfather's brother died of the influenza in 1918 or 1919, they took a picture of him out in front of the church in his coffin. In Europe it is much more common, I believe as our Polish relatives have, in the past, asked for photos of relatives in their caskets.
Findagrave page - #32128837
Has a pic. of him, not in casket.
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Greenberry Rayl
Greenberry Rayl was born on October 20, 1845 in Switzerland County, Indiana United States, and died at age 75 years old on October 20, 1920 in Tipton County. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Greenberry Rayl.
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