Funerals in Ireland - Links

[Christopher]

Dr Nick Narratt's articel "The Census, and How to Use It" on the BBC Family Trails Family History website refers to Memorial Cards in 1902 and 1907. It also shows a picture of a 1926 card. www.bbc.co.uk/history/trail/familyhistory/census/using_census_03.shtml

The website for Welsh Cultural History shows a Memorial card of John Jones, Nefyn, who drowned in Porth Neigwl, December 1866 www.tlysau.org.uk/en/item1/9352

Memorial cards were introduced to Ireland just before the First World War. www.rca.ac.uk/show1999/historyofdesign/bolger

[aghadowey]

The link Christopher posted is interesting and confirms what I thought about Memorial Cards being used for Catholic funerals.

Memorial cards were introduced to Ireland just before the First World War. www.rca.ac.uk/show1999/historyofdesign/bolger

Attached (I hope) is an example of an Ulster 'death letter' which was basically an invitation to the funeral hand delivered to relatives, friends and neighbours. Earliest one I have (1849) is handwritten but shortly after they were printed on black bordered paper. Many of the ones I have pre-date civil death registration and they almost always give place of interment which few newspaper notices (and death certificates) do not.

[Christopher]

Thanks for your post aghadowey.

The writing on that letter is beautiful.

Christopher

[lil growler]

It is beautiful writing and with the links and information given the memorial cards are definitely recent and in particular used amongst the Catholic.

Thank you Everyone

regards lil 

[emmsthheight]

Hi

All fascinating stuff.

I've memorial cards from well back into the 19th  century mostly but not all from Lancashire Catholic family of Irish descent.  Many of them were not well off enough to afford a grave stone, but managed this type of memorial. 

Many cards give genealogical information, often including the,burial place, which is often not easy to find.  Many also include a prayer for the person, or a biblical quote and religious picture.

Best wishes

Emms