The Role of Memorial Cards in Irish Funeral Traditions

Among the various customs surrounding Irish funerals, one of the most enduring traditions has been our use of memorial cards: small cards featuring a photograph of the deceased along with their name, date-of-birth, date-of-death, and a written portion of prayer or poetry, to be sent to friends and family after their death. After the funeral of the deceased, these cards become keepsakes, to look at and remember them — a physical representation of their memory and reminder of the past.

We have many distinctive traditions within funeral culture in Ireland. This culture is however changing, particularly with the advent of the digitalised world. Death is associated with family, with community, and with identity. How this passing is celebrated is rooted in these three strands. The memorial card is cathartic for the immediately bereaved, in that it allows them to commemorate their lost loved one after a suitable passage of time following the bereavement. It is a process whereby the next-of-kin must select the chosen photograph of the dearly departed.

They have to pick out a suitable style of card, and following Irish tradition, a verse or prayer which is appropriate to the character of the deceased. This allows for contemplation and remembrance, and softens the blow of loss. For the recipient of the memorial card, it allows them to think further of their relationship with the deceased, and is also an acknowledgment of the condolence received by the family.

The memorial card is often kept in a special place within an Irish household. Once received, they are not readily discarded; they serve as a reminder of the departed, and a prompt to share stories, anecdotes, and reminiscences — and within our oral tradition, allow the deceased’s life to live on in conversation and memory.

Previously, the death notice was a significant go-to for any newspaper reader; this has now changed as people will go online to check on deaths occurring. The online active condolence does not readily replicate the more traditional memorial card, which provided a physical photograph, biography, and memorial of the departed. This reflects over a century of Irish tradition.

It would not be uncommon to see memorial cards passed from one generation to another within a family, prompting queries about what our ancestors were really like. Even the photograph will reflect the dress code of its time, and give us an insight of bygone ages. Memorial cards from the late 19th Century and early 20th Century would have been printed in more ornate font settings, such as Caveat and Pinyon Script. It is also notable that the accompanying text, prayer, or verse has become less biblically-orientated, reflecting a more informal remembrance of the departed (in a non-religious manner). The passing-down of memorials cards can prompt families to take more of an interest in their own genealogy; we can see how Christian names have changed in popularity throughout the last century, and it can also reinforce in our minds how certain names are particular to certain families.

While usually exclusive to Ireland, memorial cards have also been embraced by Irish communities living abroad, serving as a way to keep funeral traditions alive, no matter how far from Ireland one may be. Serving as an enduring symbol of remembrance, the tradition of memorial cards remains a cherished practice honouring both the individual and the broader community in a way only Irish culture can.