Funeral Wake, What You Need to Know
Funeral wakes happen to be one of the common ways in which Australians honour their loved ones. Most families seek the assistance of a reputed funeral director while arranging a wake. When it comes to honouring someone who has passed away, you would try to arrange the best ceremony.
In general, it’s tough to differentiate common memorial ceremonies such as viewings, funerals, and wakes. However, each practice has a particular nuance associated with it. Once you know these differences, you can make an informed decision when you work with the funeral director. This way, you can honour the memory of your loved ones in the most appropriate way.
Funeral Wake Meaning
A funeral wake is actually a funeral reception. In this event, the family members and close friends of the deceased pay their respect by gathering together to the loved one. Traditionally, funeral wakes were arranged before the funeral and were referred to as viewings. However, in modern times, funeral wakes are held after the funeral, or memorial service.
To understand the funeral wake meaning properly, you should know how a funeral wake is different from the actual funeral process. Funerals are more formal as compared to wakes. A religious figure or a funeral celebrant generally leads the funeral. On the other hand, wakes are not too formal, as they have a casual element in them. The focus is more on the mourners, who gather together and remember how the deceased person led their life.
In Australia itself, a funeral wake is usually held after the funeral ceremony and burial have concluded. It is a social gathering consisting of the mourners or funeral attendees. This is the right moment for the mourners to offer condolences to the immediate family and reminisce on the good things that have been done by the deceased during his life.
Things to Know About Funeral Wakes
During funeral wakes, the family members and friends of the deceased share the memories. In general, the objective of this event is to celebrate the life of the person who has passed away. Naturally, the family members of the deceased with be bereaved. They organize an event, where the mourners come in and participate. Some families also plant a memorial tree for the deceased. Moreover, not all mourners might have attended the funeral. They can attend the wake in turn. These people might also include young children. At a funeral wake, the funeral directors arrange for food and drinks.
- A wake brings you an opportunity to communicate to the family or friends of the deceased person. You might share a memory or story that you love about the person.
- Normally, a close family member of the person who has passed away wouldn’t request the visitors to bring anything in particular. In these situations, the visitors might bring some food dishes in case there is no arrangement for catering. Some visitors might bring a card in the memory of the deceased person.
- After the funeral, the family has to choose a nearby location for the wake after a few days. The family members generally wear the same clothes that they had put on during the funeral. In case you are not sure what to wear, you might reach out to the funeral directors for advice.
Funeral Wake or Funeral Ceremony? Which One Should be Prioritized?
As explained above, a funeral wake is an event held before or after a formal funeral ceremony. It can be said that holding a funeral wake is not a must, but it’s good to have it. The most important thing is actually a proper funeral ceremony for the deceased.
However, holding a proper funeral ceremony to release the deceased during the mourning period is not an easy thing for the family. Following the departure of a loved one, families remain in shock for several days. We understand these conditions. Therefore, we are here to help.
Paul Lahood is a Sydney-based professional funeral director. We are independently Australian-owned and operated, now providing a complete range of funeral services in Sydney which are designed to assist our clients following the death of a family member or loved one. We make all the necessary arrangements for the funeral by consulting the family. Based on your specifications, finances, and type of celebration.
At Paul Lahood Funerals, quality is something that should never be compromised. For us, professionalism is very important.