Wakes and visitations are different types of gatherings that occur before afuneral.
Awakeis a tradition where close family and friends gather in the presence of the deceased who lies in state.
What Is a Funeral?
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There are also funerals where a person may be buried at sea.
Many involve pallbearers who carry the casket to the site of the grave in a funeral procession.
Different cultures perform funerals differently.
For example:
What Is a Wake?
A wake is a social gathering associated with the death of a loved one held before the funeral.
During the period of mourning, the deceased is often laid in an open casket in their best clothes.
This includes various Christian denominations, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
In Jewish culture, the deceased is never displayed before the burial.
What Is a Visitation?
A visitation is another jot down of social gathering that takes place before the funeral.
Visitations are usually scheduled and may be publicly announced in the local newspaper.
The signing of a remembrance book is common.
If a casket is on display, it will more often be closed.
What Is a Viewing?
If there is a casket, either open or closed, the gathering can be described as a viewing.
A viewing might also involve the cremated remains of the deceased in an urn.
Visitations and viewings are sometimes used synonymously.
In some cases, a visitation may be scheduled immediately before the funeral as part of the funeral service.
If they are scheduled separately, people may attend the visitation instead of the funeral, or vice versa.
Wakes, on the other hand, predate the rise of Christianity.
Memorial Planning.Jewish funeral guide.
Department of Veterans Affairs.Military funeral honors and the committal service.
Funeralwise.Christian Orthodox funeral service rituals.
Funeralwise.Hindu funeral customs and rituals.
National Museum of Funeral History.Jazz funerals of New Orleans.
National Catholic Register.The traditional Irish wake highlights importance of praying for departed souls.
Everplans.Religious perspectives on holding a viewing, wake, or visitation.
Funeralwise.Islamic funeral customs and service rituals.
Burrell A, Selman LE.How do funeral practices impact bereaved relatives' mental health, grief and bereavement?
Mc Laughlin M.Keening the dead: ancient history or a ritual for today?.Religions.
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