The traditional hosting of wakes involved relatives and close friends having remained with the body until it has to be transported to the relevant church. Once it was removed, the body would be prepared for the burial or the cremation. Today, a number of factors need to be considered for those who are interested in hosting a funeral wake.
When a family member dies, it can be an extremely difficult and emotional time for close friends and relatives. If you are planning on hosting a formal ceremony, notice has to be provided concerning the death in newspapers and public sources. All members should be notified of date, time, and location for the visitation to make the necessary arrangements.
The proceedings often take place at a funeral home. One should prepare sufficiently by notifying the facility of the ceremony and have the body prepared for viewing purposes. This will include the placement of flowers and related decorations in the room that the visitation is going to be held in.
If you wish, enlarged photographs of the deceased may be placed in the room to honor their memory. It should reflect good moments in the life of the deceased and best reflect the personality that most remember them by. All relatives, friends, and neighbors who attend the ceremony should be greeted upon entry.
A parlor will often include a guestbook to sign and leave messages of support. The catering will need to be taken into consideration including the provision of snacks and drinks for the visitation. Not all facilities include food for guests and therefore it should be discussed with the business.
A funeral wake serves to respect on honor the memory of the deceased. The more traditional approach allows for sharing in the grief process while others wish to make it a celebratory event for the life of the person who has passed on. Finding the right parlor can ease the process and offer the most valuable options.
