General Chat

I seem to remember something about drawing the curtains, but I think lighting a candle in the window is a really nice gesture. Other courtesies which sometimes remain today, are allowing a funeral procession of cars to pass without interruption (i.e., other cars cutting in on roundabouts, etc), and gentlemen doffing their hats as the hearse passes by. However, I don't think you are allowed to got through a red light if part of the possession has already passed in front. Kathy xx

When my grandmother died in 1984 I saw that all the curtains were drawn so i pulled them all back only to be told I should have left them as that was a mark of respect. Ok but I was never told that and i was well into my twenties then and had no idea, I have never drawn the curtains since mind

Most people these days are out at work and not around to observe these niceties.

Yes certainly in South London they would put straw down on the road to deaden the sound of the horses hooves. I remember it happening in the 1950s and 1960s. Also most of the street closing the curtains as a mark of respect. Sue

I thought the candle was a nice gesture. Apparently here they used to throw something on the cobbles so that the horses hooves didn't make such a clatter. Before they had cards!

Yes Sylvia, I think in the main this tradition has died out (Excuse the pun!) When I was young the house where someone had died always had white blinds or sheets placed over the window and the neighbours showed their respect by pulling the blinds.

Do the neighbours still draw their curtains when the hearse leaves the house in your street, or has this also "died a natural death" together with other norms?