Visitation, Wake or Viewing Held the night before or immediately prior to the funeral service, the visitation – also called a wake or a viewing – provides a way for friends and acquaintances to pay respects and offer condolences. If a casket is present, you can choose to have an open or closed casket.
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.
A committal service is the final part of a funeral service during which the coffin or casket is buried, taken away for cremation, or remains in sight as people exit the church or crematorium.
The funeral director will ask you if you want to see the person again and spend some time with them before the funeral, this is what we call a viewing. A viewing can be held privately, often the day before the funeral or it can be part of the ceremony.
Viewings can take place at the funeral home or the family home. They take place before the funeral, sometimes the day before and sometimes the same day. The body or a memorial to the deceased will likely be displayed to allow mourners the opportunity to pay their respects.
Preneed. The act of making arrangements for a funeral, memorial, ceremony or other service/plans prior to death. Advance planning can involve simply recording one's wishes (preplanning), or making financial arrangements (pre-paying). Also known as "Advance Planning." Preplanning.
A death anniversary, sometimes called a remembrance day, is the anniversary of someone's death. Many people find that death anniversaries bring up feelings of sadness and grief.
After the death of a practicing Catholic, it's common for their family to hold a prayer vigil the night before the funeral. This is sometimes referred to as a wake or the reception of the body. Wake etiquette is somewhat similar to Catholic visitation etiquette.
A wake, also known as a funeral reception, is an event where close friends and family of the deceased gather together to pay their respects to their loved one. Traditionally, a wake referred to the viewing held before the funeral, but nowadays it's usually held after the funeral or memorial service.
Visitation
“Visitation” is synonymous with the word “wake.” Often, the body or cremains may be present, and members of the community will have the opportunity to express condolences to the members of the family.
One final bit of advice, “Don't tell a grieving person how to feel. They may need to be vulnerable. They may need to cry for days on end,” wrote Kathryn Janus. In other words, don't say things like, “Stay strong” or “Be strong.”
Or: April 18, 1930, aka the day without news.
Mourning is a time of sadness because of a loss. When you're in mourning after a loved one dies, it is good to lean on your friends who understand why you are so sad.
“I love you.” These three words are one of the greatest phrases to use in goodbyes. Practice saying them. “I forgive you.” or “I'm sorry.” These are powerful goodbye words and can transform you and the person who receives them for a lifetime. “Thank you” is another comforting goodbye phrase.
Greeting People At The Funeral
When you do greet people, don't feel like you have to have a lengthy conversation. Simply saying hello and thanking people for coming is sufficient.
A funeral celebrant, or funeral officiant is a qualified person, usually from a non-clergy background, who officiates funeral services. Funeral celebrants typically help organise and conduct funerals, supporting the bereaved family every step of the way with the aim of celebrating the life of the person who has died.
The terms undertaker and mortician are more antiquated but are pretty much synonymous with funeral director. Most funeral directors do not like being referred to as morticians or undertakers as those names are most associated with death and unpleasantness.
Viewing. 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. Vigil. A Roman Catholic religious service held on the eve of the funeral service; may include the recitation of the Rosary.