What is a wake after a funeral?

What is a Wake? A wake, also known as a viewing, visitation or gathering, typically occurs before the funeral takes place. An urn or a casket is typically present, and the casket may be opened or closed. At this time, people pay their respects and offer condolences to loved ones of the departed.

Why do they call it a wake when someone dies?

Irish wakes are a celebration of life - one last party to honor the deceased. The name “wake” originated because unknown diseases had plagued the countryside causing some to appear dead. As the family began to mourn, they would awaken. For this reason, the body is waked in the deceased's home for at least one night.

What is the ceremony after a funeral called?

A repast is any gathering after a funeral service. You might have heard it called a reception, which is what it's commonly known as today. Repasts are less formal than a funeral service or memorial. They are typically open to everyone who came to the funeral, though they can also be private, depending on the family.

Is a wake the same as a celebration of life?

Wakes. Typically, wakes are held before a funeral or celebration of life, and provide an opportunity for people to visit the deceased's body. They're usually held at a church or funeral home, are open to the public and allow people the opportunity to pay their respects to the deceased's family.

What is a wake vs memorial service?

The key difference between these terms is the purpose that they serve. Another distinguishing factor is how formal or informal the functions are. Funeral wakes, and Funeral viewings are informal. A funeral service is formal while a memorial service is an interplay of the two.

Wake vs Funeral vs Memorial vs Viewing: What's the Difference?

What should I expect at a wake?

A wake, also known as a viewing, visitation or gathering, typically occurs before the funeral takes place. An urn or a casket is typically present, and the casket may be opened or closed. At this time, people pay their respects and offer condolences to loved ones of the departed.

What is proper etiquette for a wake?

It's not mandatory to view the body, but you can stop and say a silent prayer if you wish. After passing the casket, approach the family and introduce yourself if necessary. Say a few kind words about the deceased, shake their hands, give them hugs, offer a warm smile – any small gesture will be appropriate.

What do you say to a family at a wake?

Is a wake open casket?

Many families choose to have an open casket during a funeral, a vigil, a viewing, or a wake.

How long after someone dies is the wake?

A wake (sometimes referred to as a viewing or visitation) will usually happen within a week of death. So this answer is very similar to that of the question “How long after death is the funeral?” The wake itself typically takes place the evening before the funeral.

What is a wake vs viewing?

Viewing Vs Wake

The key difference between a viewing and a wake is religion. While viewing is relatively an unstructured event, a wake has its roots in the Catholic church. A part of it usually includes a religious session involving a member of the clergy or a priest who reads holy texts or scriptures.

What is the difference between a wake and a repast?

In days past, a Wake was a common form of saying farewell to our deceased. Today we have gentler titles like Repass (repast) or Celebration of Life. The difference in these events is the actual presence of the loved one who has passed away.

Are wakes Catholic?

Traditionally, the wake is a Catholic ceremony based in part on the Celtic traditions of Ireland. Those traditions dictated that family and close friends should stay awake through the night with the deceased in order to offer protection from evil spirits. Once buried, all was safe.

Why do you cover mirrors when someone dies?

The Irish wake is a well-known funeral tradition where the family of the deceased covers all mirrors in the home. To hide the physical body from the soul, the family turns mirrors to face the wall. Some Irish superstitions say that if you look in a mirror long enough, you'll see a devil looking over your shoulder.

Why do we have wakes before funerals?

The wake or the viewing of the body is a prominent part of death rituals in many cultures. This ceremony allows one last interaction with the corpse, providing a time for the living to express their emotions and beliefs about death with the deceased.

Should I go to the wake or the funeral?

Someone wise once said that you should attend the wake if you would like to show support to the survivors. You should attend the funeral if you need to grieve yourself. If you find yourself in both camps, attend both the wake and the funeral.

Why do they cover the legs in a casket?

They cover the legs in a casket because the deceased is not wearing shoes in many cases due to the difficulty of putting them on stiff feet. Also, funeral directors may recommend it to save money, for religious reasons, in the event of trauma, for easier transportation, or with tall bodies.

Can you touch the body in the casket?

If you have an adult with you at the funeral home, it is ok to touch a dead body, and you will not get in trouble. You are naturally curious, and sometimes when you see and touch a dead body it helps you answer your questions. Remember to be gentle and have an adult help you.

What color do you wear to a wake?

Funeral attire should be dark somber clothing. A shirt and tie for men and dress or slacks and a blouse for women. Black, navy, gray, neutral tones are all appropriate colors. Avoid bright or flamboyant clothing.

Do you bring anything to a wake?

A wake may last a few hours, or the deceased's family may welcome mourners to their home over the course of a few days prior to the funeral. Bring edible gifts like casseroles, sandwiches, baked goods, or fruit baskets so the family doesn't have to worry about food. They may even share it with guests.

Do you bring money to a wake?

Money is not an appropriate gift, although exceptions may be made when the family is left in extreme financial difficulty. In that case, friends may wish to pool contributions to make a gift of assistance. The Funeral Service.

How much do I give at a wake?

There is no set amount, as it should be a gift – so give whatever you think is enough, and gift from the heart. An amount of $10 is perfectly acceptable, and is usually dependent on your relationship with the family. Place your contributions in an envelope, and leave the envelope with a family member of the deceased.

Do you introduce yourself at a wake?

Generally speaking, the public is invited to attend the wake, even if there's no personal relationship with the family. In this scenario, it's polite to introduce yourself and mention your relationship to the loved ones.

What time should I arrive at a wake?

A good rule of thumb is to arrive 10-20 minutes early to allow time for guest interactions before the service starts. A funeral is a sensitive setting and arriving late isn't a way to show your respect. If you do arrive late, use a side aisle to find a seat near the back to avoid interrupting the service.