Michael Brooks
The Philippines has a rich history of burial customs and traditions, with many different practices emerging from its various regions and cultural influences. The country's predominant religion is Catholicism, and this shapes the funeral traditions of many Filipinos. A Filipino Catholic wake typically lasts between three and seven days, with some lasting a full week or even longer. During this time, the deceased is placed in a casket, often inside their home, and mourners come and go to pay their respects, leaving flowers, candles, and other mementos. This period is known as the novena, and it is a time for loved ones to gather and commemorate the life of the deceased through rituals and prayers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration of the wake | 3 to 7 days |
| Placement of the deceased | Usually placed in a casket inside their home or transported to a funeral home |
| Attendees | Mourners come and go to say their goodbyes, leaving behind mementos like flowers or candles |
| Superstitions | Sweeping the floor during the wake brings bad luck by sweeping away the deceased's spirit |
| Superstitions | Pregnant women should not attend the wake to avoid bad luck for their unborn baby |
| Superstitions | All mirrors in the house should be covered to avoid reflections |
| Superstitions | Attendees should not go directly home after the wake to avoid the spirit following them |
| Superstitions | Food should not be taken away from the wake |
| Superstitions | If someone sneezes during the wake, they should be pinched to avoid the deceased's spirit visiting them |
| Rosary | Prayed each day for nine days following the death, and again after forty days and on the one-year anniversary |
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What You'll Learn
Wakes typically last three to seven days
Wakes in the Philippines can last anywhere from three to seven days, with some lasting for a full week. This period allows distant relatives to travel and pay their final respects to the deceased. During this time, the deceased is usually placed in a casket, often adorned with flowers and lights, inside their home or at a funeral home. Mourners come and go, leaving behind tokens of remembrance, such as flowers or candles, and signing a guest book. It is also common for visitors to offer financial donations to help cover funeral and burial expenses.
The length of the wake reflects the strong cultural and religious traditions surrounding death in the Philippines. The country's history and cultural diversity have influenced its funeral practices, with a mix of indigenous beliefs, Catholic traditions, and influences from its colonial past. For instance, the T'boli tribe of Mindanao practices a unique burial custom that involves laying the corpse on a boat-shaped coffin, which can be celebrated for up to a year for respected individuals.
The Philippines has a predominantly Catholic population, and Catholic Filipinos often incorporate religious elements into their funeral traditions. This includes holding a wake, also known as a "lamay," which is adapted from the visitation practiced in American wakes. The body of the deceased is typically clothed and presented for viewing during this time. However, it is important to note that Filipinos of other faiths, such as Islam, may have different funeral practices, including a shorter mourning period before burial.
Superstitions also play a role in Filipino funeral traditions. For example, it is considered bad luck to sweep the floor during the wake, as it is believed that doing so will sweep away the spirit of the deceased loved one. Additionally, pregnant women may avoid attending the wake to prevent bad luck from affecting their unborn child. These beliefs showcase the unique blend of cultural and religious influences that shape how Filipinos honor and remember their departed loved ones.
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The deceased is placed in a casket at home
The Philippines has a rich and complex history that has resulted in most Filipinos having strong Catholic roots. While there are many religions practised in the Philippines, the Catholic faith shapes the traditions of Filipinos when they experience the death of a loved one.
The deceased is typically placed in a casket at home, or a funeral home, for three to seven days. This period is known as the 'wake', and it allows distant relatives to come and pay their final respects. During this time, mourners come and go, leaving behind flowers, candles, and other mementos. The casket is often adorned with flowers and lights, and a guest book is provided for visitors to sign. It is common for those who visit the deceased before the funeral to offer financial donations to help cover funeral and burial costs.
Food is also an important aspect of the wake, with the family preparing or catering meals each evening for those who gather to mourn. The wake is considered an important ritual, as death is viewed as a significant event in Filipino culture, and it is not unusual for large numbers of people to attend.
Following the wake, the casket is removed from the home and transported to the church in a hearse. A typical Catholic funeral service is then held, including hymns, prayers, and Scripture readings. After the ceremony, the hearse takes the casket to the cemetery for burial.
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Mourners leave flowers, candles, and food
In the Philippines, the Catholic faith shapes the traditions of Filipinos when mourning the death of a loved one. During a wake, the deceased is placed in a coffin that is adorned with flowers and lights. The coffin is kept at home or transported to a funeral home, where family and friends are encouraged to visit and pay their respects by signing a guest book.
In the nine days following the death, Filipino Catholics will pray the Rosary, marking the end of this period with a celebratory meal. They also pray the Rosary again after forty days, as they believe that the soul of the deceased roams between earth and heaven for forty days before moving on to the afterlife.
Overall, death is viewed as a significant event in Filipino culture, and it is not unusual for large numbers of people to gather and pay their respects. The strong Catholic roots of the Philippines influence the funeral traditions, with customs similar to those found in other Catholic communities in North America.
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Superstitions: no sweeping, covering mirrors
Wakes in the Philippines typically last between three and seven days, with some lasting even longer. During this time, the deceased is usually placed in a casket inside their home, and mourners come and go to pay their respects and leave mementos like flowers or candles.
Superstitions are common in the Philippines, and there are several things that are avoided during a wake. Here are some superstitions related to wakes and funerals in the Philippines:
No sweeping
It is considered bad luck to sweep the floor during a wake as it is believed that doing so will sweep away the spirit of the deceased loved one. This superstition stems from indigenous beliefs in ancestral veneration and the strong family and community relations within tribes. Filipinos have long believed in life after death and have created burial customs to honour the dead through prayers and rituals.
Covering mirrors
All the mirrors in the house where the wake is held are covered with cloth so that no reflections can be seen. This is likely also related to the belief in avoiding disturbing the spirit of the deceased.
Other superstitions
Other superstitions include pregnant women not attending the wake to avoid bringing bad luck to their unborn baby, not going directly home after the wake to avoid the spirit following you, not taking food away from the wake, and pinching someone who has sneezed during the wake to prevent the deceased's spirit from visiting them.
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Rosary is said on the ninth day
Wakes in the Philippines typically last between three and seven days, with some lasting a full week to allow distant relatives to pay their respects. During this time, the deceased is usually placed in a casket, which may be decorated with flowers and lights, inside their home. Family and friends are invited to come and go, leaving mementos such as flowers or candles, and signing a guest book.
Following the funeral, Filipino Catholics have a tradition of saying the Rosary each day for nine days. This period is called the novena. On the final day of the novena, a celebratory meal is held. The Rosary is also said again after forty days have passed since the death and on the one-year anniversary. According to Catholic Filipinos' beliefs, these prayers enable the soul of the deceased to leave the world and transition safely to the afterlife. The number forty is significant because it is believed that the soul of the deceased roams between earth and heaven for forty days after death, seeking a safe haven. On the fortieth day, the soul departs the deceased and enters the afterlife, forgiven of all sins.
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Frequently asked questions
A Catholic wake in the Philippines typically lasts between three and seven days.
During a Philippine Catholic wake, the deceased is placed in a casket, which is usually kept in their home. Mourners come and go, leaving flowers, candles, and other mementos. It is common for the family to prepare or cater meals each evening for those who gather to pay their respects.
A wake allows distant relatives and friends to pay their final respects to the deceased. It is also an opportunity for the family to receive financial donations to help with funeral and burial costs.
