Funeral Fedoras?

[Warlock]

Yesterday I was hanging out at the local Christan supply store (Others have bars, that is my hangout.) and a minister of my acquaintance came in. He had performed a funeral service service earlier. We talked some shop and he asked me the oddest thing, I suppose because I almost always have a hat on when he sees me. He asked if I wanted to be buried wearing a hat. My reply was that I planned to be cremated. Not giving up, he asked if I would be wearing the hat for that event. I hope not, but I expect to have little control over that happening.

I have never seen anyone encoffined with a hat. I cannot imagine how it would be done. But I have a vague sense of seeing it in an old movie. Does anyone know of any such real or cinematic (reel) event?

It seems like a waste of a good hat to me.

 

[dnjan]

I assume that if a gentleman insisted on being buried with his hat, it would be set on his chest in the casket.

 

[Baron Kurtz]

Or atop the head-end of the casket i thought was standard in military circles . . . maybe this extends to the civvies.

Maybe one could be burned in a giant wicker fedora?

bk

 

[Warlock]

Don, I believe that you have hit on that elusive movie recollection. I believe that is exactly the case, and that the deceased was posed with his hands holding the hat. For some reason I am thinking English banker and a black bowler...

 

[Warlock]

Baron, I could go with the giant wicker fedora idea. It would make a fine spectacle for a wake, with marshmallows and roasting sticks supplied.

Sorry, the woods are on fire hereabouts and the smoke is making me a bit loopy.

 

[RBH]

I assume that if a gentleman insisted on being buried with his hat, it would be set on his chest in the casket.

This is the way I have seen it done many times.

Also my grandmother was pretty well known {in our area}for wearing a 'turtle shell' sun helmet while working in her garden. When she passed I place one of her hats in the casket with her.
It made me feel better.

 

[Red Beard]

"When I die Oh lord please bury me In my high top stetson hat.
Put gold coins over my eyelids So the boys will know I died standing pat "

From the classic American folk song St. James Infirmary.

For anybody interested in hearing a version of this tune, check out Snooks Eaglin's New Orleans Street Singer album. One of my all-time favorites. Anything from this album can be requested on www.weeniecampbell.com/juke/playing.php The best online radio station in you're into Pre-war Country Blues, Jazz or Ragtime. And isn't everybody?

I wouldn't mind being buried with a hat on my chest or with my hands holding one. In fact, I think it'd be down right classy.

 

[Warlock]

I suppose I could try having it stuffed in my urn. It is a rather large one.

 

[duggap]

Which, the hat or the urn?

 

[Red Beard]

Or better yet, put the ashes IN the hat. You could even buy a few hats for the price of the urn. I guess that wouldn't help you, as it sounds like you've already bought one.

fftopic: I know it's not unusual, but I've always thought it would be a little strange to own my own urn, headstone or casket.[huh]

 

[rockyj]

When My father died, I put one of his fedora's in his casket. Seemed like the right thing to do.

 

[besdor]

We get some customers in our stores that are Gypsies . Their custom is to bury a person in a hat . Unfortunately , we also some some younger urban kids who have met with an untimely death who also like to be buried in a hat as well.




Steven
www.bencrafthats.com

 

[Warlock]

The urn is big. The hat I woul;d choose if I had to choose one is just under 7 1/2. But I like that ashes in the hat idea. I am still wondering if a hat could be bronzed. Then IT could be the urn. Hmmm....

 

[Hondo]

This is the way I have seen it done many times.

Also my grandmother was pretty well known {in our area}for wearing a 'turtle shell' sun helmet while working in her garden. When she passed I place one of her hats in the casket with her.
It made me feel better.

Awww... thats heart felt, better indeed.

As for myself, If I'm still alive, I'll give all my hats to family's children, ask that they take care of it, then I'll just take one cap/hat I always worn and be cinemated with it.