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.
What is a wake? 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.
The family decides whether to arrange viewing in the funeral home or the family house of the deceased. What is a Wake? As the name indicates, a wake refers to the time the mourners stay awake to mourn and pay tribute to the lost loved one.
A funeral reception is a post-funeral gathering where friends and family members can come together to celebrate and remember the life of their loved one. The reception typically follows immediately after the funeral service.
A wake, or viewing, usually takes place before the actual funeral. A casket or urn holding the remains of the deceased is usually present. Mourners will usually take this time to pay their respects and offer their condolences to relatives of the departed. Wakes can take place at funeral homes in Boylston, MA.
You do not need to have a wake after a funeral, if you do not want to. Some choose not to have a wake at all and keep the funeral service for immediate family and close friends only. You also may choose to hold a wake before a funeral, it's completely up to you.
A funeral service is generally held after the wake, either on the same day or a few days after. Attending the funeral is a personal decision, and many people choose to attend one ceremony or the other. Depending on your closeness to the deceased or your closeness to the family, you may choose to attend both.
Today, although symbolic rituals around food and mourning still exist, food's most important purpose is to comfort the mourners. Across cultures in America, whether it's Jewish or Mormon, Italian or Southern Black, food is often provided by the community for the family of the deceased.
The two main funeral types compared: Burial and cremation.
Funeral comes from the Latin root fūnus, for "dead body," and so a funeral is the ritual that surrounds taking care of a dead body. Depending on the dead person's beliefs, there will often be a representative of a religion there to honor them in a traditional way.
A wake is a Catholic tradition, while people of any faith can do viewing. A funeral wake is typically led by clergy or a priest, whereas a viewing will not. Another difference is that viewing is an informal event, while a funeral wake might be either an informal or formal event.
A repast is any gathering of people after a funeral service. Some people called it a reception, which is the term most commonly used. That said, repasts are less formal than a funeral service or memorial.
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.
Yes, it's rude. But it's not uncommon - funerals are often attended by older people, who often unintentionally fall asleep at inappropriate times. Be kind and understanding. Just showing up for the funeral is a sign of respect - don't make an issue of it if this happens.
Followers of some religions attempt to bury their dead within 24 hours of death. Because of this tradition, some cemeteries now offer nighttime funerals with floodlights. Even if nighttime funerals aren't the norm, some communities have found that quick funerals are in such high demand that it necessitated this change.
Wakes usually last between two to six hours, but this can vary. This depends on the location and who attends. If the wake is held at someone's house or a paid venue you may want to be mindful of leaving on time.
Attending a visitation can be the hardest part for people to attend, because it involves talking to the deceased's family. A good recommendation is to say something simple such as “I am sorry about your loss”, especially if there are many other guests waiting to share their condolences.
Full Service Funeral
A full funeral service — also referred to as a “traditional” or “full service” funeral — is the most common funeral type in most cultures. This usually occurs within days of a death and takes place at a church or funeral home.
A simple funeral is an attended service at a local crematorium, without the expense of a hearse. This means the coffin will be resting in the chapel, ready for you to arrive and celebrate their life. Simple funerals have a similar structure to traditional funerals, but they tend to cost much less.
The most common answer is that jeans aren't considered appropriate funeral etiquette unless requested by the family. However, dark, unembellished jeans paired with a shirt, tie, and blazer for men or a blouse and a blazer for women can be appropriate for a casual service.
It's perfectly acceptable to not have a funeral. There's no legal requirement for you to have one — it's up to you how you'd like to be memorialized.
Avoid dressing in casual clothing, such as athletic wear, tank tops, or shorts. Skip the flip-flops, tennis shoes, sneakers, or boat shoes. Remove the neon necktie, purse, or accessory. Shy away from wearing jeans, even black ones, because they are considered too casual for a funeral.
General Seating Rules
For the most part, the first few rows of seating are designated for family only, with immediate family (and spouses or significant others) sitting in the very first row and extended family members sitting behind them.
Some reasons to not go to a funeral include: You want to go, but the service is private. The service is out of town and travel would be difficult. You are sick or have a chronic condition that would make it difficult, impossible, or highly uncomfortable to attend.
A Filipino superstition holds that you should not go straight home after a funeral. If you do, death may follow you. So stop off somewhere else first.