Different cultures honour the dead in
different ways. A wake is a time for visiting and the
commemoration of the death of a beloved family member, friend or
member of a community.
A wake is usually held the night before a
funeral. Traditionally, the body is laid out so that people can visit
and spend time with the deceased throughout the night, but in some
cases the body may not be present at all.
The Irish wake is one of
the best known funeral traditions in Irish society. It remains common
place particularly in country areas and is a very important part of
the grieving process.
A wake provides an opportunity to celebrate
a person’s life with family and friends and to say goodbye as they
depart from home for a final time. A wake can be a great source of
comfort to those close to the deceased, as visitors reflect, remember
and share stories of the departed.
Typically a wake is held at
the deceased’s home or that of a close family member. Usually the
body is waked for at least one night, where folk can come to pay
their respects and express their sympathy. Increasingly a wake is
being replaced by a viewing of the body at a funeral home.
Some
wakes are ‘private’ and for immediate family only, but usually
they are open to anyone who knew the deceased. Children do not
usually attend a wake unless they are a close relative of the
deceased.
A mixture of emotions will be visible at a wake,
sadness and tears and also laughter as people recall memories and
happy times with their loved one who has died.
Most people
attending a wake express their condolences to family and take some
time with the deceased. The body is usually laid out in an open
coffin. It is also common for folk to sit with others over a cup of
tea and visit for a while.
Most people attending a wake visit
between 5-8pm but a wake often continues late into the night, with
people sitting with the body all night so that family members can get
some rest.