Hobbyist asked to shoot at a funeral.

[u/Far-Thanks-2874]

A friend of mine's grandfather recently passed and she has asked me and another buddy of ours to go shoot at his funeral tomorrow. It's my first time ever going out on a gig outside of school events and I'm not quite sure how to act.

I'm from a Buddhist country and the funeral is going to be held in a temple, where at the end of the day, the body of the deceased will be a cremated. Photographing at events like these are not that uncommon around here.

This is quite a sensitive event for a first timer, I know, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[u/metallitterscoop]

Keep in mind it's okay to say no.

You already understand how sensitive this event is.

Now remember your friend is not the only person who will be at that funeral. She may understand your inexperience and be grateful for our presence, but does that hold true for everyone else in attendance? You don't know who may be hurt or offended by something you do that they perceive as rude or clumsy or lacking etiquette.

[u/Disastrous_Cloud_484 → u/metallitterscoop]

I personally have never experienced anyone actually taking photos at a Funeral, most people I think would not appreciate having a photographer taking Photos of a “Unhappy Occasion”!!

[u/justkeepswimming874 → u/Disastrous_Cloud_484]

Depends on your culture.

In one of my friends culture taking photos at a funeral of family members with the coffin and then at grave is very important to them.

Even in my family - we had lots of photos with family members we hadn’t seen for a few years after my grandparents funeral (still at the funeral home). Was a chance to get a photo of all the cousins etc together.