Although death is a part of anybody's life, non all of usa have a lot of feel dealing with the ceremonies and community surrounding an private's passing. In that location are specific funeral etiquette protocols to abide past although these vary by civilisation and custom. You may find yourself invited to a funeral viewing or visitation, a wake, or a memorial service for someone who has recently passed. It tin can exist helpful to know the differences betwixt these services before you nourish, as well as the appropriate wake vs viewing etiquette then that you know what to expect.

What's the Difference Between a Memorial Service, a Wake, a Visitation, and a Viewing?

Man waits patiently at funeral in church

Permit'south examine the different types of events that are held to pay tribute and honor the deceased.

What is a Memorial Service?

A memorial service is a gathering in which the family and friends of the deceased are invited to come up together to remember the person who has passed. This type of service typically takes place after the funeral, so the body is commonly non nowadays, although a funeral urn may be, if the deceased was cremated. Oft, there volition exist prayers, songs, and a eulogy. Mourners should apparel the fashion that they would for a funeral.

What is a Visitation?

A visitation is a period of fourth dimension in which friends and acquaintances are invited to meet with the family of the deceased and offer their condolences. Well-nigh visitations are held at the funeral home or the family's home before the funeral itself. Depending on the wishes of the family, the body may be present – although this is more than common during viewings and wakes. You should dress nicely, according to visitation etiquette but not necessarily as formally as you would for a funeral.

Woman picking out bright pink roses

What is a Viewing ?

A bury may be nowadays at a viewing or wake, and less ordinarily at a visitation. During a viewing, the body of the deceased is present, often in an open casket. The deceased will have been embalmed and prepared by the funeral abode, in virtually cases, and otherwise set up for the burial or cremation. This is an opportunity to run into the deceased ane last time and say your quiet goodbyes. The viewing typically occurs right earlier a funeral and then family and friends can exist nowadays.

What is a Wake ?

A wake is often very similar to a viewing, and the 2 terms are sometimes used interchangeably. The primary departure is often that a wake is more religious, and may include a prayer, scripture reading, or rosary said at the commencement and cease. A wake may too be more than of a social consequence than a viewing, with a group gathering to honor the deceased before the funeral. The term "wake" comes from an Sometime English term that ways to keep spotter.

Memorial Service Etiquette

A memorial service tin be very similar to a funeral in many ways so memorial service etiquette is like funeral etiquette. Care for the service with respect and solemnity. The service may be held at a funeral home, a church building or other house of worship, nearly, or outdoors. Dress relatively formally and conservatively, in nighttime or muted colors – y'all don't want to describe attending to yourself. There will typically be a ready club of events, along with a eulogy, prayers or verse form readings, and occasionally speeches. Information technology'southward good memorial service etiquette to arrive on time, stay until the end of the service, exit your cell phone on silent and in your pocket, and to pay your respects to the family unit before leaving.

Visitation Etiquette

Woman at open casket wake

Visitation etiquette depends in role on where the service is taking place and how long it is prepare to run for. In many cases, the family will agree the visitation in their home, although they may set a specific fourth dimension at the funeral home. Apparel nicely, but you don't demand to exist besides formal. The standard protocol for a funeral visitation is to stop past, innovate yourself to the family unit (if needed) and pay your condolences, and and then go out after a short period of time.

How long you lot need to stay or should stay depends on several factors, such as how well you know the family, how busy they are, how much they seem to want company, and where the visitation is taking identify. If you're visiting in someone's home, it may be more appropriate to stay for a slightly longer period of time as y'all talk near the deceased. Accept your cues from other guests and the family and don't overstay your welcome.

Funeral Viewing Etiquette

Elderly woman crying over framed picture

Yous are non required to really view the body at a funeral viewing. Many people are a scrap uncomfortable with the idea of attention a viewing, but keep in heed that funeral viewing etiquette does non require you to actually await at or spend time with the deceased if you are not comfortable doing and so. You lot should be prepared for the deceased to be in the room with you lot, however, and for the possibility of an open casket, which is very common.

In many cases, a viewing is not a religious service, so there may non be a formal prayer said or even whatever type of formal social club of events. This is simply a time for y'all and others who knew the deceased and his or her family to end by and say a last goodbye. A viewing will ofttimes last for several hours and y'all should not feel obligated to bear witness upward at the beginning or stay for the unabridged time. Wear relatively formal, conservative vesture, and remember to give your condolences to whatsoever family members who are present. You lot may desire to stay for a little while to speak with other mourners about the deceased.

If yous practise determine to view the torso, await for a moment when no one else is with the deceased – or stand up quietly nearby until other people have finished so as non to disturb them. Take a few moments to stand by the casket. You may want to kneel, say a prayer, say a few words silently to yourself about the deceased, or simply bow your head for a moment of silence. There is no need to linger; just spending a minute or ii in silent respect for the deceased is perfectly fine.

Wake Etiquette

For many people, the idea of a wake suggests an uplifting event, where people drink and toast the deceased. This is often associated with the traditional Irish wake, which was a celebration of the person's life and their passing on to the afterlife. This type of wake is often held in the dwelling house of the deceased, with the body present, and friends and family are invited. Everyone can share stories and memories of the deceased, as well as offering their condolences to the family unit.

If you're invited to a wake, it's common for some sort of refreshment to be offered. Depending on the family, information technology may be a largely religious affair. Wakes are similar to viewings, and role of adept funeral wake etiquette is to have a few favorite stories to tell about the deceased and words of condolence for the family unit.