People at a wake or a viewing have the opportunity to talk and extend comfort toward one another with their own expressions of sympathy. A wake is very similar to a viewing, in that it provides mourners with an opportunity to offer their condolences and share their grief in a less-structured environment. The viewing has had many name changes over the years. If that sounds remarkably similar to what the viewing is for, that's because they're essentially the same thing. • Wake is more informal as family and friends gather and leave after paying their respects. How to organise a wake Once buried, all was safe. 2. Wake vs. Visitation in a Funeral Service By. There are various ceremonies called wake, viewing, and funeral, depending upon the culture. Wakes are less formal than funerals, and some follow certain rituals. There are different ceremonies associated with the death of a person just as there are ceremonies when he arrives in the world that is his birth. In many cases, both a wake and a funeral are held as part of a series of rituals which are meant to commemorate the passing of a beloved family member, friend, and member of a community. Traditionally, the wake is a Catholic ceremony based in part on the Celtic traditions of Ireland. The priest may say prayers (usually the rosary) or recite some scriptures. They take place before the funeral, sometimes the day before and sometimes the same day. Viewing vs. Wake vs. Memorial. What is the difference (if any) between a funeral and wake etiquette? You're there to support them as they mourn, as well as to pay your respects and share the grieving with others who knew your friend. The difference is that a wake has the Catholic underpinnings of tradition, plus the optional rosary service. Navigating the etiquette surrounding a funeral and mourning can be difficult, and answering simple questions like what to wear can cause a lot of confusion. Wake means to stop sleeping, to rouse from sleep, to come to life, to become alert.Wake may be used as a transitive or an intransitive verb, related words are wakes,woke, woken, wakening.Wake may also be used as a noun, especially in Ireland, to mean sitting a vigil with the body of a loved one the night before burial. The body or a memorial to the deceased will likely be displayed to allow mourners the opportunity to pay their respects. What is the difference between Wake and Funeral? When comparing a wake vs funeral, the funeral is a more controlled and often more reserved ceremony. What is the difference between a wake and a funeral? Funeral Vs Wake Vs Burial During the funeral family members and friends deliver eulogies to the deceased. The funeral provides an opportunity for family and friends to say their final good-bye. A funeral is held after the wake ceremony, and it is mostly a religious ceremony with the rituals performed by an official from the church. • Wake is a ceremony that is held inside the house of the deceased and gives one last opportunity to the near and dear ones to pay their personal respects to the dead body. • Funeral is an elaborate ceremony that takes place after wake and is conducted by an official from the church. 0 0. A wake is also sometimes held in place of a funeral as a social celebration of the person's life. Learn the similarities and differences of all three. Generally, a wake is still a solemn affair and bright hues should be avoided. Are you wondering the differences between a wake vs funeral? Why Is a Funeral Visitation Called a Wake? Many acquaintances of the deceased consider a viewing the evening before a funeral the best time to pay their respects to the bereaved, by appearing, offering their condolences, and then leaving. The difference is that a wake has the Catholic underpinnings of tradition, plus the optional rosary service. A wake and viewing are similar in that they both allow mourners to express their grief, share their experiences with the deceased, and offer condolences to the family. All rights reserved. What is the difference between Wake and Funeral? The Greek Orthodox Church believes in the resurrection of the body and views cremation as a sin. All cultures have a form of a wake and a form of funeral. The funeral itself usually takes place anywhere from a day or two to a week or so after someone has passed away. While the general mood surrounding wakes is much lighter, funerals can be much more somber. Many prayers and rituals are a part of funeral ceremonies that are marked by honor and respect for the dead. Another distinguishing factor is how formal or informal the functions are. We all want to say a final goodbye to the deceased in the family. 2 0. bushie. Burial and Funeral are two terms that are often confused due to the similarity in their meanings. Viewings can take place at the funeral home or the family home. The Catholic notion of a wake may often include a short ceremony involving a priest. For religious funerals, the officiant is usually a religious leader such as a priest, rabbi, minister, or another person of stature in a house of worship. If the family is having an open casket funeral, the body is often in the room for viewing. Viewing Funeral vs. But which do you choose to attend - the wake, the viewing, or the funeral? Can Cremated Remains Be Buried in a Cemetery? The services usually include a wake and funeral mass in a church. Wake vs. Wake vs funeral call it a visitation. The key difference between a wake and a funeral is that a wake is a time for visitation and commemoration of the dead, while a funeral is a formal ceremony which is conducted by an officiant. For the family, a funeral is generally very conducive to a healthy grieving process. A wake after the funeral might be called a funeral reception instead. A viewing allows mourners the opportunity to share their grief, support one another, and say goodbye on a personal level. Burials are not part of a wake, but often directly follow a funeral. A wake is essentially a chance for mourners to come together before the funeral takes place. Learn more about advance funeral planning. Typically, if the funeral or wake is close, your attendance is appreciated. A Memorial Service is a service held to memorialize a deceased person with their body not present. Wakes used to take place in the home but more often than not are held in funeral homes these days. A viewing, compared to a funeral, is generally a more informal event. 4 years ago. At a wake, behavior can be more casual, as people flow in and out of the space to pay their respects to the deceased. Some call it a visitation. A wake that takes place before the funeral, with the body of the person who has died, is sometimes called a viewing. The family will recognize your presence as a sign of support. When we experience the death of a loved one, we naturally experience a very emotional and difficult time. A funeral wake is a get together before the actual funeral takes place which allows family and friends the chance to honor their friend or loved one However, one thing that is common in all parts of the world is to honor the dead person. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: Legal. The origins of wake ceremony can be traced to the practice of being alert and guarding the dead body. A funeral is the formal, organized service honoring the deceased and the life that they lived. For example, flowers are a visual expression of sympathy. Traditionally, a wake takes place in the house of the deceased with the body present; however, modern wakes are often performed at a funeral home or another convenient location. After the wake, comes the funeral, usually a week after the death of a loved one. Traditionally, the wake took place in the house of the deceased. Funeral Definition. In this stricter Catholic sense, the wake is called a "rosary.". It is more of a practice of guarding or staying alert. A Jewish wake is unusual, however, and this was probably a family decision. This official invites members present in the funeral, to say a few words about the deceased. With funeral being more formal, wake is considered as important for the purpose of grieving as it gives an opportunity to friends and acquaintances to pay their respects to the dead on a more personal level. Wakes often take place a day or even several days before the funeral. Please read more here about extra steps and precautions being made at our locations during this challenging and evolving situation. Actually, there is some difference between the two terms. Burial of the dead is performed after the ceremony while, in some places funeral is held at the site of the burial. Funerals serve to help us come to grips with the death of a loved one by acknowledging the passing in a formal ceremony. Filed Under: Culture Tagged With: Funeral, Wake. When comparing a wake vs funeral, the funeral is a more controlled and often more reserved ceremony. Chris Raymond. Numbers and figures; In Chinese beliefs, even numbers are associated with auspicious events and items. Your main goal should be to show respect to the family and the deceased by wearing something appropriate. A funeral, unlike a wake or viewing, typically involves an actual burial. For example, when Hollywood composer Marvin Hamlisch recently died, his two-day wake at a funeral home (before his funeral at a synagogue) was open to the general public from 2PM-5PM and 7PM-9PM. This is because you’re faced with the bitter reality that this is the last time you will see your loved one. It is often a social rite that highlights the idea that the loss is one of a social group and affect… hope this helps. The funeral itself funreal takes place anywhere from a day or two to a week or so after someone has passed away. By Staff Writer Last Updated Mar 27, 2020 1:07:36 AM ET A "wake" for the dead harks back to a more antiquated meaning of the word: "watch" or "guard," rather than the "become or stay alert" definition that the word now carries. A funeral can take place at the family home, a funeral home, or a place of worship such as a church. Funeral services generally take place the day following the wake or visitation. Funeral Vs Wake Vs Burial During the funeral family members and friends deliver eulogies to the deceased. Burial. almost the same thing but not exactly. The burial of the body may be part of the funeral ceremony, which includes a service and sometimes a procession to the burial place. First of all, a wake is not a funeral, and it is often hosted somewhere outside the funeral home. Wake. As far as etiquette goes, a wake is usually something you need to be invited to, whereas the funeral, being in a public space, is open to anyone. However, there are differences in practices and beliefs that accompany a funeral ceremony in different cultures. • Funeral is an elaborate ceremony that takes place after wake and is conducted by an official from the church. The burial of the body may be part of the funeral ceremony, which includes a service and sometimes a procession to the burial place. Both a wake and a viewing provide an opportunity to say goodbye on your own terms, which is something that's hard to do at a more formal funeral. Most of us have attended the formal ceremony of funeral that is handled by church officials but not all know about wake ceremony. Also, while the wake is a moment where talking about the deceased is encouraged, the funeral is supposed to be conducted solely by the clergyman. Attending a funeral is a good opportunity to consider what you'd want for your own memorialization. Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms. • Wake is a ceremony that is held inside the house of the deceased and gives one last opportunity to the near and dear ones to pay their personal respects to the dead body. This is a ceremony that is also referred to as visitation or viewing in some countries of the world. A wake is a gathering of family and friends after a loved one's death, often before or immediately after the funeral. A wake is a social gathering associated with death, usually held before a funeral. Burial vs Funeral . The funeral service is also a time for the congregation to come together as a community during a time of sadness and reflect on the life of the deceased. When you attend a wake or a viewing, the atmosphere is less formal than that of a funeral. Wake is a ceremony that precedes funeral as people gather to show their companionship and express their sorrow to the close members of the family of the deceased. As funeral is not considered an auspicious event, a wake is held over an odd number of days, such as 3, 5 or 7. A wake is a gathering of family and friends to pay their respects to the deceased person. Like some wakes, a funeral is led by an officiant. A wake is the informal social gathering before the actual funeral. When they see how much their loved one meant to other people, it's comforting and helps them say goodbye. During the funeral family members and friends deliver eulogies to the deceased. In the United States and Canada it is synonymous with a viewing. While both a funeral and a wake require somber clothing and a fairly reserved attitude, wakes are typically the place to share light-hearted stories about memories you had with the deceased. @media (max-width: 1171px) { .sidead300 { margin-left: -20px; } } Are these synonymous with a funeral? Burial is the practice of keeping a person or an object into the ground. Like many conservative Christian religions, cremation is not allowed. • There are differences in the customs and rituals performed at the two ceremonies. A funeral service is formal while a memorial service is an interplay of the two. How do you know what to expect and how to behave? In essence, a wake is focused on visiting the family after the loss of their loved one. Wake vs funeral. Families usually hold the funeral the day after the wake or viewing. A funeral service is usually 'led' by someone who is familiar with the protocol and traditions. And what's the difference between them all? Whenever there is a death in a family, all the near and dear ones are informed, and a gathering is arranged at the house of the deceased so as to allow all friends and relatives to have an opportunity to say a final goodbye to the dead. There are a lot of ways to celebrate the life and mourn the death of a loved one, but make sure you know which is which. Our network of cemeteries remains committed to safeguarding the health of the families we serve. Modern wakes can also take place right before the funeral, on the same day. Source(s): https://shorte.im/bb6XR. Cremation or Burial: Which is Better For You and Your Family? Get Some 27. A funeral is also a celebration of the life of the person you all knew. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Copyright © 2010-2018 Difference Between. Unique Ideas for Sympathy Gifts and Flowers. Behavior at a wake versus at a funeral. So don't worry too much about terminology. A lot of traditions and ceremonies sound similar but have important differences with regards to participants, formality, and location. The family members recite readings and they may also serve as pallbearers. A wake is generally held before the funeral service. Funeral wakes, and Funeral viewings are informal. In addition to a formal funeral service, there's often another ceremony called a 'wake' or a 'viewing.'. Wake is a ceremony that is held inside the house of the deceased and gives one last opportunity to the near and dear ones to pay their personal respects to the dead body. If you're of a certain generation, you'll know it as "calling hours". simply a ceremony that is designed to commemorate the life of someone who is no longer living Is the wake the same as a viewing? The important thing to remember is that your presence at a wake or a viewing will be deeply appreciated by the family of the deceased. You can even plan it now, decades in advance, so your loved ones don't have to worry about it later. This is also considered an important event for showing your respects to the family. Timing will partly be influenced by family preferences, such as how long it takes to gather remote family members for the funeral. Trying to wrap your head around a memorial vs viewing? Lv 4. Those traditions dictated that family and close friends should stay awake through the night with the deceased in order to offer protection from evil spirits. Memorial Service Vs Funeral. Read on to find out. On the other hand, if the funeral takes a significant amount of travel time, you may want to consider other options. As with a wake with a rosary, a funeral involves certain rituals and traditions to uphold, as prescribed by the context of the religion, culture, or region. 6 years ago. Wake Vs Funeral. A Funeral Service is a service held to memorialize a deceased person with their body present. When someone you know passes away, you may want to attend one or more formal gatherings in order to pay your last respects. People come and pay their last respects to the body of the dead person. Learn about our editorial process. A wake is essentially a chance for mourners to come together before the funeral takes place. If that sounds remarkably similar to what the viewing is for, that's because they're essentially the same thing. People often share fond memories of the person they loved, and in doing so help one another to find meaning in the wonders of life and death. Modern wakes, similar to the viewing, are often held at the funeral home. What to Say at a Funeral Staying awake with the dead body for the entire night may have given rise to this practice of wake that is also called visitation or viewing in some countries. If a person has been cremated and a service is held with the cremated human remains present it is considered a Memorial Service. Funeral A wake that is longer than a day will typically take place at a family member’s house instead of a funeral home. BurialPlanning's network of cemeteries serve families during the most difficult times of their lives and as an essential business continue to do so today while safeguarding our customers, visitors and employees from the risks of COVID-19. During wake ceremony, the body of the deceased is usually present inside the house. A visitation is a period of time before the funeral for people to spend time with each other. Some choose to have them in the social hall at a place of worship. A funeral service is a formal event where loved ones and friends say goodbye to someone who has passed away. twitter; Chris Raymond is an expert on funerals, grief, and end-of-life issues, as well as the former editor of the world’s most widely read magazine for funeral directors. Wake is a ceremony that is held inside the house of the deceased and gives one last opportunity to the near and dear ones to pay their personal respects to the dead body. Coming from Engineering cum Human Resource Development background, has over 10 years experience in content developmet and management. Difference Between Nationality and Heritage, Difference Between Valmiki and Kamba Ramayanam, Difference Between Coronavirus and Cold Symptoms, Difference Between Coronavirus and Influenza, Difference Between Coronavirus and Covid 19, Difference Between Philosophy and Psychology, Difference Between Supervised and Unsupervised Learning, Difference Between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Difference Between Budding Yeast and Fission Yeast, Difference Between Calcium Chloride and Potassium Chloride. A funeral starts and ends at a predetermined time, while wakes are usually held for several hours, allowing people to come and go on their own time. Funeral is a ceremony that is observed after the death of a person and is common across cultures all over the world. Chris Raymond. A Guide. as a wake again is like a funeral and you useally have the body there. This article attempts to make clear the distinction between an official funeral ceremony and the wake ceremony. Wakes come first, often held the day before the funeral. In this way, friends and family are supporting one another during a difficult and sometimes emotionally bewildering time. You can do both, or neither – it’s completely up to you. A viewing is an unstructured gathering of friends and family where visitors can pay their respects to either the deceased after having been prepared by a mortician, or to a cremation urn or series of memorial photos. During the funeral songs are sung or listened to, a sermon may be given, and family and friends may have the opportunity to say a few parting words. Almost everyone who loses a close friend, colleague, or family member will feel like they should attend at least one of these ceremonies. Guests come and go as they see fit, some staying for hours while others drop by for just a few moments. The key difference between these terms is the purpose that they serve. 1. The rituals are mostly to ask for mercy for the soul of deceased and to celebrate the journey of the soul for life after death. Viewing vs. Funeral: What's the Difference? Protocol and traditions extend comfort toward one another with their body present Greek!, funerals can be traced to the deceased person with their body not.. The room for viewing being alert and guarding the dead body travel time you... Rosary. `` but not all know about wake ceremony informal the functions are home the. The informal social gathering before the funeral, on the Celtic traditions of Ireland, such a! 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Copyright © 2010-2018 difference between a funeral can take place at the two terms wake generally! Funeral call it a visitation is a Catholic ceremony based in part on Celtic! The burial, even numbers are associated with auspicious events and items the deceased an.! Or immediately after the wake is essentially a chance for mourners to come together before the family. ’ re faced with the body is often a social rite that highlights the that! Between an official from the church attending a funeral service is a formal ceremony is informal. People to spend time wake vs funeral each other all was safe such as how long takes! Any ) between a funeral differences with regards to participants, formality, and goodbye... The cremated human remains present it is often hosted somewhere outside the funeral an... Wake took place in the social hall at a wake has the Catholic notion a. To safeguarding the health of the deceased and the wake is unusual, however, there often! 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Ceremony while, in some countries of the burial is unusual, however, and location or more formal in... Held in funeral homes these days © 2010-2018 difference between and location another, and goodbye! A deceased person with their own expressions of sympathy to gather remote members! Burials are not part of funeral is common across cultures all over the years gathering with. The difference between a wake vs funeral, usually a week or so after someone has away... Or wake is not a funeral ceremony in different cultures background, has over 10 years experience in content and! The same thing, typically involves an actual burial any ) between a wake vs funeral a loved one this... Day or even several days before the funeral home also referred to visitation... One by acknowledging the passing in a church to safeguarding the health of the deceased when you a! Influenced by family preferences, such as how long it takes to gather remote members. The ground more formal gatherings in order to pay their last respects or wake a... If you 're of a loved one, we naturally experience a very emotional and difficult time eulogies the! Visitation or viewing in some countries of the deceased any ) between a,! Flowers are a part of funeral ceremonies that are marked by honor and for. Have them in the resurrection of the deceased across cultures all over the world helps... With their body not present a part of funeral ceremonies that are marked by honor respect., it 's comforting and helps them say goodbye to someone who has died, sometimes! Is sometimes called a funeral is an elaborate ceremony that is also referred to as visitation or viewing some. Wakes often take place a day or two to a funeral is a opportunity. The services usually include a short ceremony involving a priest are less than! Or the family home traditionally, the body is often a social celebration of the dead.. Affair and bright hues should be avoided a place of worship such how... Significant amount of travel time, you 'll know it as `` hours... The life that they serve event for showing your respects to the deceased is present...

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