A journey to a family's healing
When I was first asked to photograph a funeral for a Veteran, my initial reaction was disbelief: Wait, did I hear that right? I had many questions running through my mind—How can I manage this? I had to find someone to watch Elsie. Neal had other shoots, and I was asked the day before the service. Of course, we always have a choice, but I didn’t want to disappoint this family. This request came from a client whose headshots I had done, and she had been asked if she knew a “cool” photographer. To my surprise, she thought of me. 🙂
I have to admit, I was nervous. I had never photographed a funeral, let alone one with an open casket (which I didn’t even know about until I walked into the funeral home). The last time I had seen a deceased person was 15 years ago, and it shook me so much that I experienced anxiety afterward. But this time, something felt different. As I began capturing photos, I wasn’t overcome by the same fear or discomfort.
I was in awe when I saw this family’s loved one dressed in his full Veteran attire. I stood before a man who had served and fought bravely for our country, and his family was determined to honor him most profoundly. It was a privilege to document that.
That day, I found myself running between locations—the funeral home, the Veterans Cemetery, and the family home for the celebration of life. One of the photos I felt comfortable sharing here is of an engine he had rebuilt, symbolizing his life and love for the work he left behind. I won’t share personal photos out of respect for the family, but I’m grateful to have this moment to reflect on.
As I drove home, I was emotionally and physically exhausted, not just from the day’s logistics but from the weight of witnessing such deep love and respect for a man who meant the world to his family. The number of people who came to honor him and the personal touches—right down to the items placed in his casket—touched me deeply. I felt lucky to be part of something unique and couldn’t wait to deliver these memories to the family in time for Labor Day weekend in honor of their Veteran.
You know, I don’t believe time alone heals all wounds. It's the act of feeling that allows us to heal. Time helps, but it also takes time to be ready to feel those emotions fully. Healing is a journey, and I hope the memories captured in these photos help this family in that process, offering them comfort as they navigate their grief.
Thank you for reading,
Heidi
