When dealing with the passing of a loved one, you are given options of services that you are simply not familiar with. Three of the most common services are wakes, viewings, and visitations. While these events are similar and are often used interchangeably, there are some differences you should be aware of. Directors of funeral homes Wilsonville, OR. you share what you need to know about each of these services.
The tradition of holding a wake can be traced back to Ireland and the Celtics. Wakes were a very commonly held service then and are still common today. It was normally held in the home of the deceased, and while that can still take place, today these events are often held in funeral homes and other convenient locations. These events take place normally the day before the funeral.
During a wake, the guest stays and watches over the body. This is to protect the body against evil and to provide a time for guests to mourn the passing of their loved ones. There are prayers recited typically by a priest.
Viewing is also an event that typically takes place the day before the funeral. It is more casual than the funeral and does not follow any order of service but instead provides guests a time to mourn and pay their respects to the deceased and the family.
Viewings are come-and-go events which mean there is no set time for guests to arrive or leave. Instead, they can arrive and leave anytime within the designated hours.
With a viewing, the body of the deceased is in the room in a casket. Normally, this casket will be open so that guests can approach the body and say their final goodbyes. While not everyone feels comfortable with this, and guests certainly do not have to approach the body, many guests find this act of seeing the body as a way to begin healing. Grief is hard to take on alone and you don’t need to (and often shouldn’t) go at it alone.
Visitation is almost the same as a viewing expect that the body of the deceased is not present. Many times the terms “visitation” and “viewing” are used interchangeably.
If you need help deciding which service you would like to hold, consider a few things such as:
If you need further information or help to decide which services from funeral homes Wilsonville, OR. you would like to hold, our funeral directors are here to help answer any questions you may have.