When a loved one passes away, there are many ways for family and friends to say goodbye. Wakes and viewings both give people the chance to pay their respects before the funeral service. While similar, these services have different origins and purposes. If you’re planning a funeral, understanding these can help you decide whether you’d like to include them in your memorial. To help you honor your loved one, here’s more information about these options and how they differ.

Viewings

During a viewing or visitation, friends and family members can say goodbye to their loved one face to face. This may happen as a mortician preserves and prepares the body in a casket. However, some viewings feature a closed casket or cremation urn, sometimes with a photo of the deceased. The viewing is less formal than a funeral service, allowing loved ones to come together and mourn as a group and pay their respects in a more intimate setting.

Wakes

The wake has roots in the Celtic and Catholic traditions of Ireland, where families stayed up overnight at their lost loved one’s side to protect them from evil spirits before the burial. Today, a wake is a chance to gather before a funeral service to pay respects, usually without the loved one’s presence. A priest may attend to conduct a short ceremony or rosary service. While originally held in residences, they often take place in funeral homes these days.

If you’re planning a funeral service, visit Adzima Funeral Home for assistance. This family-run funeral home has been serving the Stratford, CT, area for over 100 years. They’re happy to be on call 24/7 to guide you through this difficult process. They help with everything from obituary writing to the final burial to make the process as easy as possible on you and your family. Find grief resources on their website or call (203) 375-2200 to speak to a compassionate team member.