In death customs, a viewing (sometimes referred to as reviewal, calling hours, funeral visitation in the United States and Canada) is the time that family and friends come to see the deceased before the funeral, once the body has been prepared by a funeral home.
Visitation. A gathering held with the deceased's body present; a time for family and friends to express condolences and support one another; also called a viewing, wake or calling hours. Visitation Room.
A viewing is an informal event where close friends and family gather to “view the body.” Also referred to as Visitation, Viewing is arranged in a less-structured environment where the visitors mourn and offer condolences to the bereaved family.
Examination of the problem through study and observation shows that viewing the body is helpful to the family and friends because it helps the bereaved test the reality that this death has indeed occurred and provides the comfort and means of support as well.
After a loved one has passed away, you may have the opportunity to view them before the funeral. This usually takes place at the funeral home in a chapel of rest, or in a mortuary. You can be alone with them, or you may prefer to be with a close friend, family member, or the funeral director.
A viewing (also called a wake) may be brief and take place immediately before the funeral service, or may last for up to three days before the service. A visitation can take place any time, before or after the funeral service or disposition, and can last for hours or days.
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.
It is always easier to light up the upper half of the body and present the face under the best light. By covering the legs, funeral directors save time by spending lesser time lighting the lower portion of the body.
Embalming is typically done in funeral homes, and the process usually takes place soon after death. The body is first cleaned and any fluids are removed. Then, embalming fluid is injected into the arteries, which helps to preserve the body tissues. Finally, the body is dressed and prepared for viewing.
While black is always a great go-to if you're unsure about what you're wearing, colors like gray and navy are also appropriate. Your most important goal is to avoid wearing anything that will distract attention away from the loved one who has passed away.
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.
They may hold a visitation for relatives only, and if so, you should respect their wishes. If you've been invited to both but you're unable to attend the visitation, it's fine to simply attend the funeral. It's typically considered more important to attend the funeral service.
The worst things to say at a funeral
Don't tell friends or family members who are grieving that their loved one has gone to a better place. Never call the death a blessing or speculate that it was that person's time. Avoid saying anything that suggests that the loss of the loved one is a positive thing.
The casket will usually be in the front of the ceremony room, or in a side viewing room, and funeral attendees will have a chance, should they choose to, to approach the casket, see the body, say a prayer or pay respects.
Viewing is also called wakes or visitation depending on the circumstances. What they all have in common is that they are events where family and friends can view the body of their loved one and pay their last respects.
To Protect the Corpse from Being Stolen. Snatching dead bodies was common in many parts of England and Scotland in the early 1800s. Therefore, graves were always dug six feet deep to prevent body snatchers from gaining access to the buried remains.
Over time, coffins underground will decompose and eventually collapse. Covering the face before closing the casket adds an extra layer of protection and dignity for the deceased's face and can act as a symbolic final goodbye.
They'll begin by either embalming the body, refrigerating it, or doing some combination of both. If your family wants to have a viewing for your loved one, it's usually not going to take place right away. It'll be at least a few days before you can have it.
It has been used to prevent the odor of decay, to give family members closure and prevent them from witnessing the decomposition of their loved ones, and in many cultures it has been seen as a necessary step for the deceased to enter the afterlife or to give back to the cycle of life.
People are buried without shoes for practical, environmental, and traditional reasons. Shoes are difficult to place on a dead body due to the effects of rigor mortis, while many materials found in shoes are harmful to the environment. Some religious burial practices also forbid the use of shoes.
Why are legs covered in a casket? There are several reasons why legs are covered by the casket, including to emphasize a person's face, religious or cultural traditions, and to hide the physical response legs have in death.
While shorts are never appropriate, for men or women, and miniskirts are frowned upon; bare legs are acceptable if your skirt or dress falls to your knee.
Is It Okay to Smile at a Funeral? It's not only okay to smile at a funeral but it's also encouraged, especially when greeting the bereaved. Seeing someone smile at us can help lift our spirits. It's also a nonverbal way of showing support.
You should never say that anyone deserved death. Furthermore, you should also avoid talking about how the deceased person let their health go on purpose. Alternative: No matter how you really feel about the deceased person or their family, a funeral is a time to show grace and respect.
After two weeks, the body starts to bloat and change its color to red after the blood present in the body starts to decompose. Once the corpse surpasses the fourth week, you can witness liquefaction in the rest of the remains. The teeth and nails also begin to fall during this time frame.