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. The Catholic notion of a wake may often include a short ceremony involving a priest. The priest may say prayers usually the rosary or recite some scriptures.
In this stricter Catholic sense, the wake is called a "rosary. A wake is very similar to a viewing, in that it provides mourners with an opportunity to offer their condolences and share their grief in a less-structured environment. Wakes used to take place in the home but more often than not are held in funeral homes these days. Some choose to have them in the social hall at a place of worship. Wakes often take place a day or even several days before the funeral.
Modern wakes can also take place right before the funeral, on the same day. A wake is essentially a chance for mourners to come together before the funeral takes place.
If that sounds remarkably similar to what the viewing is for, that's because they're essentially the same thing. The difference is that a wake has the Catholic underpinnings of tradition, plus the optional rosary service. Like some wakes, a funeral is led by an officiant. A funeral service is usually 'led' by someone who is familiar with the protocol and traditions. For religious funerals, the officiant is usually a religious leader such as a priest, rabbi, minister, or another person of stature in a house of worship.
As with a wake with a rosary, a funeral involves certain rituals and traditions to uphold, as prescribed by the context of the religion, culture, or region. When you attend a wake or a viewing, the atmosphere is less formal than that of a funeral. People at a wake or a viewing have the opportunity to talk and extend comfort toward one another with their own expressions of sympathy. The important thing to remember is that your presence at a wake or a viewing will be deeply appreciated by the family of the deceased.
You're there to support them as they mourn, as well as to pay your respects and share the grieving with others who knew your friend. So don't worry too much about terminology. Both a wake and a viewing provide an opportunity to say goodbye on your own terms, which is something that's hard to do at a more formal funeral. Attending a funeral is a good opportunity to consider what you'd want for your own memorialization.
You can even plan it now, decades in advance, so your loved ones don't have to worry about it later. Learn more about advance funeral planning. What is a Burial Plan? Do Veterans Get Buried for Free? How Much Does Cremation Cost? However, in the U. This is where loved ones visit the deceased person, who may be laid in an open casket in a funeral home or even their own home. They visit in order to say their goodbyes and share their feelings one last time.
The visitation or wake may even involve prayers or other rituals and usually happens one or two evenings before the actual funeral takes place. Not everyone wants a traditional or religious funeral service. A person can leave behind instructions for funeral arrangements, which can be very helpful to the loved ones tasked with planning a funeral.
In these instructions, it may state that the person would prefer to have a wake instead of a funeral service in a church. They may still choose to be cremated or buried, but not have a formal service. This can be known as a wake funeral. Unlike many funeral services, a wake or funeral reception in the UK is far less formal and structured.
Mourners will be given details of a venue to head to after the ceremony, often a social club, church hall, local pub or even a family house.
Here, friends, family, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased person will gather after the ceremony and burial or cremation. The purpose of a wake in modern times is to share memories and stories of the lost loved one.
During a wake, there will often be refreshments. Mourners may have a drink depending on their culture, traditions or religion and help themselves to food from a buffet. The chance to have some refreshments can actually be very important after a long, difficult day of funeral arrangements. Sadness and grief can be very tiring, and many people will be very glad of the chance to rest and have some refreshments in the company of loved ones. Wakes can of course be very sombre occasions, but they can also be surprisingly upbeat.
This is because after the stress of a very difficult day - one which many loved ones will be dreading - it feels good to let off some steam.
It can also be comforting to be around family members and to share positive, inspiring stories which celebrate a life alongside grieving its loss. A wake usually lasts a few hours. Guests will gather and deliver their condolences to the relatives of the deceased, before food is served. At Lantern, we aim to provide the resources, tools, and information you need to decide on the appropriate memorial service for someone who has passed and how to best celebrate their life.
While certain memorial services, such as wakes, funerals, and viewings, appear very similar, there are specific nuances that make each one unique. It can also make it easier to take the next steps in honoring their memory surrounded by loved ones. A formal funeral service is what most of us consider when we think of end of life ceremonies and services. It will follow a series of traditions, often including a religious ceremony, as well as a burial, and speakers.
It is also a way to engage with your community and accept the support of your religious institution. If you are not part of a particular religious institution or do not practice religion, you may also have a secular funeral , which may be hosted at a funeral home, community center or a sentimental location.
Decide which aspects of the traditional funeral feel appropriate when honoring someone. You may decide to have the burial be a private experience for the family, and you may host the visitation at your home.
Include what feels important and appropriate to you and your family in the service. While you will want to follow the same funeral etiquette at a viewing as you do at a funeral, a viewing is generally a much more informal event than a funeral. They often take place before the funeral process, if there is to be one, and allow friends to stop by for as long as they are able. A viewing is an opportunity to show support and condolences to the family, as well as to pay your own respects.
Wakes began as vigils after death, a way of watching over a loved one after their passing and spending a private moment together before burial. Wakes used to be held in private homes, but it is much more common for a wake to be held at a funeral home today. There are many similarities between a funeral, viewing, and wake. They are all an opportunity to honor the passing of a loved one in a personal and unique way that represents who they were and how they impacted the world.
There are several key differences as well. A wake is usually a much more informal event than a funeral. While it can be very similar to a viewing, one of the key differences is the role of religion.
Wakes initially got their start as a religious practice, and many of those traditions are still used today. Here are some other options to consider when honoring a friend or family member. A memorial service is usually more informal than other services, but one essential element is that the body is not present. There is no timeline or other specific needs for a memorial service, so you may host it in a place or at a time that feels appropriate to the person you are honoring.
Memorial services can and should take the shape of the deceased.
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