Lithuanian Funeral Director Discusses Most Common Post-Funeral Regrets

Vladimir Volovnik, head of the "Amžiaus vartai" funeral home in Klaipėda, Lithuania, has highlighted a taboo subject: the most common regrets Lithuanians experience after funerals. He observes that in today's fast-paced world, people often rush not only through life but also through the process of saying goodbye.

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Today, people often rush not only to live but also to say goodbye.

Volovnik states that relatives seldom regret the decisions made during the funeral arrangements. Instead, their deepest pain stems from other aspects. He points out that the tradition of a three-day wake, once common, is now rarely observed. Volovnik stresses that this period was not established without reason; it is crucial not only for honoring the deceased but also for the bereaved to begin processing their grief and loss.

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After funerals, relatives most often regret not the decisions made – it is something else that hurts them the most.

The funeral director's insights offer a poignant reflection on how modern life may be impacting traditional grieving processes, suggesting that the hurried nature of farewells can leave lasting emotional scars.

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The three-day farewell tradition is less and less maintained, although this time was not invented without reason.