Have you ever been to a wake?

As I live in Ireland I've been to lots of wakes where the deceased is in an open coffin in the house. If the person dies at home, the current practice is for the undertaker to collect the body, take it off to be embalmed and laid out, and then bring back to the house so those who wish can visit and "pay their respects". But funeral homes are also used, as many don't want lots of people calling. In Ireland, burial or cremation usually is about 3 days after death.

If you hear that even a relative of someone you know has died - it usual to attend either the wake or the funeral service or both. There's a website called rip.ie which gives all the details so it's easy to check time and place etc. Maybe because I'm used to it, it's not an upsetting experience. You arrive, greet the relatives, go in to the room where the person is laid out in coffin, have a brief look, maybe saying a prayer (no need to touch the body!) then go into another room for refreshments and a chat with other neighbours and friends.

Personally, I wouldn’t want lots of people viewing me if deceased, or my DH.

Close family maybe, but the thought of neighbours coming….

No thank you.

I realise different places have different traditions, but it’s not one I would embrace.

When our precious Mum died in the Nursing home, we had her brought to my sister's home, because there was a spacious downstairs bedroom with patio doors to the garden, an ideal space for her open coffin to be placed for those who wished to see her one last time. Our family undertaker had worked his magic, her hair (always her crowning glory) was lovely and she looked very peaceful.

The Rosary and wake took place in the public rooms, so those who did not wish to see her body were welcome to participate in the prayers, followed by refreshments and sharing of many memories. The house was full of family, friends, neighbours, parishioners and work colleagues.

At the end of the evening, my sister's thoughtful husband took himself off to sleep upstairs so that my two sisters and I could spend our last night together with our dear Mum. Our last girlie sleepover. It felt right, very comforting, we said Night night, God bless to her and managed to sleep through till morning. 💕🙏