Sarah Mitchell
A wake is a social gathering associated with death, held before a funeral. It is a time for friends and family to pay their last respects and is often more relaxed than the funeral, with food and drink served. The wake, derived from the word vigil, was originally used to denote a prayer vigil, but is now mostly used for the social interactions accompanying a funeral. Wakes are a Catholic tradition, and Roman Catholic wakes often take place at funeral homes. A funeral is a formal gathering where people say goodbye to the deceased, and it is distinct from a memorial service in that it also includes a burial.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Social gathering to honour the deceased and provide closure for the grieving |
| Timing | Usually held on the evening before the funeral |
| Location | Funeral home, family home, chapel at the funeral home, pub, restaurant, or hotel |
| Attendees | Family, friends, and the community |
| Atmosphere | More relaxed than a funeral, with food and drinks often served |
| Activities | Sharing stories, memories, and eulogies; reading scripture and prayers; viewing the body |
| Religious Affiliation | Catholic tradition, but other faiths may also have viewings |
| Cost | Usually less expensive than a funeral |
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What You'll Learn
A wake is a Catholic tradition
A wake is a social gathering associated with death, held before a funeral. The term 'wake' originally referred to a late-night prayer vigil, but it is now mostly used to describe the social interactions accompanying a funeral. A wake is a Catholic tradition, though people of any faith may hold a viewing.
Wakes are usually held in the home of the deceased, a funeral home, or another convenient location. They typically last one or two days and involve family and friends keeping watch over the body of the deceased. The viewing of the body is an important phase in the separation of the dead from the living and the transition to the world of the dead. It allows one last interaction with the deceased, providing an opportunity for the living to express their thoughts and feelings. The emotional tone of a wake is sometimes seen as more positive than a funeral due to the socially supportive atmosphere and the focus on the life of the deceased.
Historically, keening was performed at wakes by a group of women who sat around the body. It was a poetic lament for the dead, addressed directly to the deceased. A leading keener (known as a 'bean chaointe' in Irish) would chant verses and lead a choral death wail, with other keeners joining in while swaying rhythmically. Sometimes, professional keeners were hired to fulfil this obligation.
In Ireland, a wake is an important part of death customs. Wake customs similar to those of Ireland can also be found in North-western Scotland and Northern England. In Wales, there was a custom to store the coffin in the home until the funeral, with friends and neighbours volunteering for the ritual of 'gwylio'r corff' ('watching the body' in Welsh).
While wakes are a Catholic tradition, they are not exclusively Catholic. Roman Catholic wakes often take place at funeral homes, where funerals also typically begin. A Catholic funeral may include a funeral mass, also known as a Requiem Mass, which incorporates Holy Communion and commemorates Christ's death and resurrection. The final service, held by the graveside, is known as the Rite of Committal.
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Wakes are held before the funeral
The wake, also known as a visitation or viewing, is a key part of the death customs of Ireland and is found in North-western Scotland and Northern England. It is a continuous watch kept over the dead by family and friends, usually lasting one or two days before burial. The term "wake" originally referred to a late-night prayer vigil, though over time the association with prayer has become less important in some countries. However, in Catholic wakes, a priest is typically present to say prayers, and scripture readings and eulogies may also be shared.
In the Catholic faith, wakes are followed by a funeral mass at a church and a graveside ceremony known as the Rite of Committal. While the Church encourages Catholics to have a funeral mass, it is not required, especially if very few Catholics are expected to attend. In such cases, a "Funeral Outside Mass" can be held, which is similar to a Requiem Mass but without Holy Communion.
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They are a time for friends and family to gather
A wake is a social gathering associated with death, held before a funeral. It is a time for friends and family to gather and pay their last respects. The term 'wake' originally referred to a late-night prayer vigil, but nowadays, it mostly refers to the social interactions accompanying a funeral. Wakes are typically held on the evening before the funeral and can be hosted in a variety of locations, including the family home, a funeral home, or another convenient location.
The wake provides an opportunity for loved ones to come together and express their thoughts and feelings about the deceased. It is a time for sharing stories, memories, and condolences, providing support and comfort to the bereaved family. The atmosphere at a wake is often more relaxed and positive compared to the formal nature of a funeral. Food and drink are commonly served, fostering a supportive and socially interactive environment.
In the context of Catholic funeral traditions, the wake is considered a significant part of the ritual. It allows family members and friends to actively participate in honouring their loved one's memory. During the wake, people may gather to read scripture and prayers, with eulogies delivered as a tribute to the deceased. This aspect of the wake is particularly important for those who wish to provide comfort and support but are unable to attend the funeral mass or other formal ceremonies.
The wake also serves as a transitional phase, marking the separation of the deceased from the world of the living. Historically, wakes involved keeping watch over the body of the deceased, often with the body present in the home. While this practice has evolved, the wake continues to be a crucial gathering that allows the community to unite in grief and remembrance.
Overall, the wake plays a vital role in the grieving process, offering a space for friends and family to come together, share memories, and find solace in their shared loss. It is a time-honoured tradition that underscores the importance of community and support during one of life's most challenging moments.
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It is a time to share stories and memories
A wake is a social gathering associated with death, held before a funeral. It is a time to share stories and memories of the deceased and to pay last respects. The term "wake" originally referred to a late-night prayer vigil but is now mostly used for the social interactions accompanying a funeral. Wakes are a Catholic tradition, and they are often held at funeral homes, though they can also take place in the home of the deceased or their family.
The wake is an important part of the death customs of Ireland and is considered a key phase in the separation of the dead from the world of the living and their transition to the afterlife. It typically lasts one or two days and involves family and friends keeping watch over the body of the deceased. While the practice of keening, or poetic lament for the dead, has died out, wakes continue to be a time for eulogies and remembrances.
The emotional tone of a wake is often more positive than a funeral due to the socially supportive atmosphere and the focus on the life of the deceased. Wakes are usually more relaxed, with food and drink served, while funerals are more formal services. The funeral ceremony in Catholic tradition is a formal mass held in a church, followed by a graveside ceremony known as the Rite of Committal. The Church encourages Catholics to have a funeral mass, also known as a Requiem Mass, as it includes Holy Communion and commemorates Christ's death and resurrection.
The Archdiocese of Westminster recognizes the importance of wakes in encouraging conversation and the sharing of personal memories, which can be especially helpful to the bereaved. It is a time when family and friends can gather to express their thoughts and feelings, providing an opportunity for the living to find comfort and support in each other.
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Wakes are usually more relaxed than funerals
A wake is a social gathering associated with death, held before a funeral. The term 'wake' originally referred to a late-night prayer vigil but is now mostly used for the social interactions accompanying a funeral. Wakes are usually more relaxed than funerals, with food and drink often served. Funerals, on the other hand, are more formal services, and guests typically do not eat or drink during the service.
Wakes are often held at a funeral home or another convenient location, such as the home of the deceased. They are a time for friends and family to gather and pay their last respects. While wakes may include prayers, scripture readings, and liturgy, they also provide an opportunity for remembrances and eulogies, which are not typically part of the funeral itself.
The emotional tone of a wake is sometimes seen as more positive than a funeral due to the socially supportive atmosphere and the focus on the life of the deceased rather than their death. Wakes can provide a space for people to share stories and memories of the deceased, offering a sense of comfort and community.
In the Catholic tradition, a wake is typically held on the evening before the funeral, followed by a funeral mass at a church and a graveside ceremony known as the Rite of Committal. While wakes are commonly associated with Catholicism, they are not exclusive to this religion, and other cultures and faiths also incorporate similar rituals in their death customs.
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Frequently asked questions
A wake, also known as a visitation, is a social gathering associated with death, held before a funeral. It is a time for friends and family to gather and pay their last respects.
The term 'wake' originally referred to a prayer vigil, often an annual event held on the feast day of the saint to whom a parish church was dedicated. Over time, the association with prayer has become less important, although not lost completely.
During a wake, people may gather to read scripture and prayers, share eulogies, and reminisce about the deceased. Food and drink are often served, and the atmosphere is typically more relaxed than a funeral.
