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Bereavement

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Have you ever been to a wake?

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MissInterpreted Thu 18-Jul-24 16:09:44

Most people around here just call the 'reception/party' following the actual funeral or cremation the wake. I've never been to one where the body was there in the coffin. Isn't that more of an Irish or Catholic thing? No offence meant there, by the way - genuine question.

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Grandmabatty Thu 18-Jul-24 16:06:59

Not with the body in an open coffin. When dad died many people, friends and family called in, along with the minister, and stayed for hours, drinking tea and eating sandwiches and cake. They told many lovely stories about dad and we shared nice memories

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Daddima Thu 18-Jul-24 15:14:20

I’ve just been to my first one, and was surprised how ‘nice’ I found it.
He was a 78 year old Irishman, living in Scotland, and the open coffin was in the front room, and many friends and neighbours came in to pay their respects and have a cup of something and a bite to eat. It was a lovely atmosphere, with many tales and memories being shared, and a lot of laughter. Nice to see his Muslim neighbours there helping with the catering.
Maybe the best laughter was when a couple of poor unsuspecting Jehovah’s Witnesses came to the door and were invited in! They declined.
A happy rising to him.

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