Wake (ceremony)
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A wake is a ceremony associated with death.
Traditionally a wake took place in the house of the deceased, with the body present. However, modern wakes are often performed at a funeral home.
The tradition stems historically from an ancient tradition of watching over the deceased's body in the hope that life might return and the term in many places is now synonymous with viewing or funeral visitation. The purpose of the wake has evolved so that now it has become a time for friends and loved ones of the deceased to gather and to console the immediate family prior to the funeral. In Australia and New Zealand the wake commonly happens after the funeral service in the absence of the body and is often "wet" -- which is to say alcohol is served and as a result the wake often resembles a party for the deceased as well as being of comfort for their family. In this way it follows the model of the traditional Irish wake although there is a long tradition of feasting and celebration connected with funeral service amongst the Māori of New Zealand that predates European settlement.
Irish wakes
In Ireland the traditional Catholic wake is still carried out. Soon after the death, word of mouth will spread the news and neighbours, relatives and friends will attend the house as soon as they hear. Neighbours will help in preparing food and tea as well as alcoholic beverages. The corpse will normally be dressed in white linen and laid out in their own bed. Candles are usually lit and the corpse is never left alone.The "Irish Wake" is a traditional mourning custom practiced in Ireland. An integral part of the grieving process for family, friends, and neighbors of the deceased, Irish wakes are occasions that mix gaiety and sadness. The custom is a celebration of the life that had passed, but the tone of the wake depended largely on the circumstances of the death.
A wake usually began at the time of death and lasted until the family left with the body for the funeral service. If a death occurred in the evening, the wake was not held until the following night to allow mourners to travel and prepare for the services.
Preparations for the wake began soon after death. All clocks in the house were stopped as a sign of respect, and women gathered to bathe and dress the body. The deceased often wore white garments, and if a man died, his face was shaved clean before being dressed. The body was then lain out for viewing on a table or bed, and was not left unattended until the burial. All mirrors in the household were also removed or turned around.
Immediately after they prepare the body, the women begin keening. This vocal lamentation is a display of mourning and sounds a bit like wailing to those who are not accustomed to it. Superstition holds that keening must not begin until after the body is prepared, or evil spirits will surround the wake and body.
Devout Irish Catholics integrated many religious traditions into the wake. A rosary is placed in the hands of the deceased, and each mourner kneels beside the body and says a prayer. The entire rosary is said at least once during the wake, commonly at midnight. The prayers are usually led by a leader in the community, and the entire group of mourners supply the responses.
The Irish also celebrated the life of the deceased, and shared food and drink throughout the wake. Music, dancing, and physical games made the wake feel more like a party. The Catholic church has tried numerous times (unsuccessfully) throughout history to abolish the consumption of alcohol at wakes. Though it is a time of sadness, the presence of friends and family makes it more bearable and there is generally great joviality as the deceased is fondly remembered; indeed, there is tradition in some parts of the country to play a game of cards and include a hand for the deceased.
Friends will stay with the corpse throughout the night. A rosary is said during the day and a Mass may also be said in the house. Usually the wake will last until the next afternoon, though occasionally (especially if it was an unexpected death or it was late in the evening and too late to arrange the funeral) it may last a second night.
The afternoon after the wake, the undertaker will place the corpse in a coffin or casket and take it to the funeral home. As this represents the deceased leaving home for the last time, it is often one of the saddest moments. A removal will take place when people who may not have been to the house will attend and commiserate before the casket is closed for the last time. The body rests overnight in a church before burial after a Mass the following day.
Though many of these customs have faded away in modern Ireland, some are still practiced, particularly the laying out of the body in the house before burial.
American Wakes
Similar parties were thrown in Ireland when a loved one left the country. These became known as "American wakes" in the mid-19th century as Irish immigration to the United States increased. Many emigrants would never see their Irish neighbors and friends again, and a send off party was thrown that included the same mix of gaiety and sadness found in an Irish wake.Icelandic Wakes
In Iceland the wake ceremony is called kistulagning. It is a small funeral service held for the closest family members and friends. It takes up to 30 minutes and is usually held in a small funeral chapel which is called a kapella.External links
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