OK to Wear Rolex at a Funeral?

[GB-man]

No watch unless he specifically stated he wanted that.

[kilyung]

My condolences to your family. However id prefer not to be displayed with my watches if it was me.

[Austin in Japan]

Originally Posted by Ragna

Were is he gonna be enterred exactly?

Lol! Might want to first find out if he'll get the G-shock.

[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

No watch. If he was really that big a WIS and the family wants to honor that I'd suggest that his wife wear his favorite watch at the funeral and, depending on how big his collection is, his kids and/or pall bearers each wear one of his favorite pieces for the service.

My thoughts exactly. It's more important what he wore in life and not in death.

I see no issues either way. But, memories are built with pieces in good times and bad. Having close family wear his pieces is a great idea.

Sorry for your loss, OP.

[gregmoeck]

Will Eddie van Halen be buried with his guitar..sorry but I think it's dumb to present a body with stuff

[Boothroyd]

I agree with no watch at the viewing--unless in some way it was truly inseparable from his persona in all circumstances while living. I am thinking of those who always wore glasses being presented with glasses, for example.

[slide13]

I would say a watch (pres would get my vote) for the viewing but removed before burial and given to a family member. These watches should be passed down to future generations.

I would never think of it being stolen during the viewing, I can't imagine that's truly a big enough issue to worry about. If it is....some tape around the clasp that would be unseen but make it difficult to remove descreetly could solve the issue.

[Tritto]

Personally I'd like to have my watches passed down to my children rather than go with me. If your uncle's family are determined the should be buried with one of his favourite watches then I'd say the G-shock. Drop a new battery in it for him and it should still be running when he's long turned to bones. Just remember to check there isn't an alarm set (apparently they last as much as 10 years if you don't use the alarm or light). Alternatively, if your uncle had a sense of humour maybe set the daily alarm so he can give visitors to the crypt a shock.


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[GradyPhilpott]

Consider this:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crim...icle-1.2598247

[dbluevette]

You get the jewelry back before they are entered. I say, if this was his normal look (wearing a Rolex) then let him wear it for the final viewing.

[lig]

Sorry for your loss. Was there anything in his will regarding dispensation of the watches?

I'd definitely lean towards no watch or G Shock.

This could have been one crazy "is it safe" thread.

[OpusXIII]

Originally Posted by gregmoeck

Will Eddie van Halen be buried with his guitar..sorry but I think it's dumb to present a body with stuff

Stranger things have (and do) happened:

http://www.vhnd.com/2014/12/08/dime-...mebag-darrell/

As to the original question - I'd say go with the G-Shock or no watch at all. As much as we'd like to think the best of folks and give benefit of doubt, there will always be those who go astray. Seeing a Rolex on the deceased could easily be too much temptation on not only fellow family members and guests but also the funeral home staff members, etc. I knew a guy in college that worked nights at a funeral home. He would hear stories of jewelry going missing on a very regular basis. Remove it from the equation and it's a non issue.

[Ragna]

To balance things out, the most annoying person of the family should be enterred with him.

Just saying

[BristolCavendish]

Responses were very insightful. Fortunately the final decision(s) are not up to me. A neighbor down the street recalled that when he was living in upstate NY, there was a funeral home that offered what they called 'The King Tut Experience'. It was a silver (or gold painted) casket with a special compartment to hold valuables for the next phase/journey. According to him, people often included items like gold coins, jewelry, old photos, achievement trophies, Hasselblad/Leica cameras, a Sony Walkman and just about any anything else that might be of personal importance or significance. Hopefully they were of use to the deceased as the mortician charged an additional $2500-$3000 for this feature. As far as sporting a Rolex on the way out, it's a judgement call. Incidentally and in lieu of the watch, his local AD (they served on the local school board together) has offered to loan the family a green/gold Rolex banner for the services providing he can leave a few store business cards near the entrance. *L*

[Lordofrolex]

No watch. Also why would you put a g-shock on him. The reason the OP is asking because he was a huge Rolex fan. You're acting like the deceased needs a watch to tell time or something.

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by BristolCavendish

Responses were very insightful. Fortunately the final decision(s) are not up to me. A neighbor down the street recalled that when he was living in upstate NY, there was a funeral home that offered what they called 'The King Tut Experience'. It was a silver (or gold painted) casket with a special compartment to hold valuables for the next phase/journey. According to him, people often included items like gold coins, jewelry, old photos, achievement trophies, Hasselblad/Leica cameras, a Sony Walkman and just about any anything else that might be of personal importance or significance. Hopefully they were of use to the deceased as the mortician charged an additional $2500-$3000 for this feature. As far as sporting a Rolex on the way out, it's a judgement call. Incidentally and in lieu of the watch, his local AD (they served on the local school board together) has offered to loan the family a green/gold Rolex banner for the services providing he can leave a few store business cards near the entrance. *L*

OP, I mean you no offense so please don't, but this whole thing is perhaps the most bizarre thread I have ever seen on this forum. "King Tut"? Laughable. That is capitalism at it's worst. Do people really think these "cherished items" are really going 6 foot under with the corpse? After the casket leaves the sight of the family, it is in the hands of the cemetery burial staff. Sorry, I am a realist and a pessimist and something smells fishy with that deal.

[cataby]

can absolutely guarantee you when the first shovel full of dirt hits the top of the lid that there will not be a Rolex in that box.

[DPE]

Emotions will be high, but common sence needs to take over. I am sure you have a nice photo with him enjoying life and wearing his Rolex. This should be on show next to him and then no need for the watch to be worn. The picture will be remembered. R.I.P.

[speedmaster73]

wow...some of these comments are bewildering...

as someone who worked in the funeral industry for for 4 years as a funeral director assistant at the largest family owned funeral home(s) in Canada..I can assure you that many people wore watches, jewellery etc in the casket.....many wore sports team jerseys(NFL,NHL etc)....some wore their 'hunting' gear.....what I'm getting at is funerals are a celebration of life for loved ones and during a viewing anything go's dress code wise depending on the individual or families preference....

as for the jewellery and rolex.....OF COURSE ITS NOT BURIED

the family takes all the jewellery and watches or anything of value just BEFORE the final closing of the casket which is done after all the guests leave the viewing.....

I've participated in visitations that were downright sad to basically a 'party'.....

everything is determined by age, cause of death, culture etc etc.....you can imagine how many ways their are to die......

im ranting but YES OF COURSE its ok for the deceased to wear a rolex in the casket......just make sure it is removed before casket closed for final time....

[franklin]

No watch.

[Eva123]

Funeral is not a show. For me it seems really silly when people put jewelry, expensive watches on corpse. Also, I heard stories when bodies were dug up by burglars in order to steal such jewelry.

I would suggest to have normal funeral and not to include such show elements. Putting G-Shock is even more ridiculous suggestion.

[HeartRolex]

Originally Posted by Gold Crown

No! this is where a good looking replica would come in handy.

Agreed! I hate replicas but this is one instance where one would be appropriate, if he must wear a watch, though I think no watch is best.

If his watches can't be given to a family member, they could be sold with the proceeds going to charity (in his name). Sorry but I just can't imagine leaving one on him (even his Sub) as it could easily be taken by family, the funeral or burial staff.

[GradyPhilpott]

I would remind people that "replicas" are not appropriate for anyone, including the dead.

The counterfeit trade is illegal and is in fact organized crime.

Moreover, we don't discuss these matters on TRF, except in "Watch Out."

[southcarolina1801]

No watch at all. Pass the watch down to someone who would appreciate it... any watch aficionado would want that

[vtprose]

Set the date and time he passed, keep the crown pulled out. Boom.

[nektar]

no watch

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by Amileon

Unless the watch is a modern way to replace the coin that should be paid to Charon to across Styx and Acheron, I would recommend no watch.

Nothing like a bit of classic mythology to shed some additional light. *L*

[BristolCavendish]

Originally Posted by teb1013

As for wearing the watch in the casket, I just don't see it, (also, would it be running or stopped, either might raise questions.

I wear my Submariner pretty much 24/7 (exclusive of showers) so I have no idea what the self-winding reserve time is on the internal movement. Watch still running (in the casket) might raise some curiosity amongst various Rolex WIS' (if any). A stopped movement would be downright creepy.

[R@lex]

No watch.. Rolex is just something material which he doesn't need anymore. He needs peace and rest!

R.I.P

[faz]

I have been ignoring this thread as I thought it was a question about whether someone attending a funeral can wear his/her watch, didn't know it was about the deceased.

Would be such a waste of a good watch that could serve a family member well, and keep the deceased's memory alive.