What is the meeting before a funeral called?

A wake, also known as a viewing, visitation or gathering, typically occurs before the funeral takes place. An urn or a casket is typically present, and the casket may be opened or closed.

What is it called when you meet before a funeral?

Visitation. A gathering held with the deceased's body present; a time for family and friends to express condolences and support one another; also called a viewing, wake or calling hours. Visitation Room.

What is a funeral agenda called?

Sometimes called an order of service, the funeral program is a simple brochure or pamphlet that you hand out to guests. This document outlines the process of the service (what will happen) and sometimes includes a brief overview of the life milestones and achievements of the deceased.

What events happen before a funeral?

Pre-funeral events usually take the form of viewings, wakes, or visitations.

What is a gathering for a funeral?

Also known as a post-funeral reception, the gathering is a final opportunity to experience community with others and to offer support before returning home. The gathering allows friends to strengthen their relationships and to remind each other that they are not alone as they continue their grief journey.

Wake vs Funeral vs Memorial vs Viewing: What's the Difference?

What are the three main types of funeral celebrations?

What is memorial meeting?

What is a Memorial Gathering? A Memorial Gathering is a time that's set aside for friends and family to pay respects to the person who has passed away. Many families host the Memorial Gathering before or even instead of a funeral service. The Gathering can be as religious or non-denominational as you want.

What is a celebration of life before death?

A living funeral is a celebration for someone who's alive and able to attend the event. It's a celebration of life with the opportunity to say final goodbyes, offering everyone a chance to leave nothing unsaid and to find a sense of closure.

What is the order of a funeral procession?

Traditionally, the order of family in a funeral procession is direct family immediately behind the hearse, followed by close family and friends. Then others who were important to your loved one might join the procession, like neighbours, carers or colleagues.

What is visitation the night before the funeral?

While a funeral service is traditional in nature, a visitation is a more informal gathering generally held in the afternoon or early evening the day prior to the funeral service. People typically flow in and out of the space to pay their respects.

What is a funeral prelude?

A prelude refers to an introductory piece of music at a funeral program. It is a welcoming song that precedes the funeral ceremony. A religious catholic funeral includes a prelude reflecting the life of the deceased one. The Catholic Choirs provides a prelude to open the service.

What is the dinner before a funeral called?

As we have mentioned, the purpose of the funeral reception is to give those attending a chance to share memories and further reflect on the life of the deceased. You can help foster interaction and make the reception more personal by including touches that bring to mind your loved one.

What is another word for funeral visitation?

In addition to a formal funeral service, there's often another ceremony called a 'wake' or a 'viewing.

What is the night before a Catholic funeral called?

After the person has died, their family members may hold a vigil service, also referred to as the reception of the body, the evening before the funeral. Here mourners may pray for their loved one, play music, sing Catholic funeral hymns, or deliver tributes.

What is the Catholic service before a funeral called?

Prior to the Funeral

After the death of a practicing Catholic, it's common for their family to hold a prayer vigil the night before the funeral. This is sometimes referred to as a wake or the reception of the body. Wake etiquette is somewhat similar to Catholic visitation etiquette.

What are the different types of funeral arrangements?

Why is it called a funeral procession?

A funeral procession is comprised of vehicles or attendees walking by foot, beginning at the funeral home and ending at the cemetery or crematorium. Naturally, the purpose of a funeral procession is to give a final goodbye to the deceased and provide them with a dignified burial.

What do you call the moment before death?

This difficult time may be complicated by a phenomenon known as the surge before death, or terminal lucidity, which can happen days, hours, or even minutes before a person's passing. Often occurring abruptly, this period of increased energy and alertness may give families false hope that their loved ones will recover.

Who usually speaks at a celebration of life?

There is no hard and fast rule as to who should give the eulogy speech at a funeral. It's typically given by those who were particularly close, or had a special relationship with, the loved one who passed. It could be a best friend, a spouse, a child or grandchild, or even a co-worker.

How long after someone dies Should you have a celebration of life?

A memorial service or celebration of life can be held any time after death. You may choose to make arrangements immediately, though it is also acceptable to wait several weeks or even months.

What is a memorial speech called?

A eulogy is a speech given at a memorial service in memory of a person who has died. The purpose is to recall the defining qualities and highlights of a life lived in a way that benefits the audience, particularly the family. It should capture the essence of the life lived.

What is prayer meeting after death?

A funeral prayer meeting is a tradition performed after the funeral to bring a sense of calm to the bereaved friends and family. Everyone comes together and prays for a peaceful transition of the departed soul. Apart from prayers, religious scripts are read, and devotional songs are played.

What is a celebration of life service?

A celebration of life service is a type of end-of-life ceremony where people come together to celebrate the unique life of the deceased. Celebrations of life are commonly held after physical remains have been cared for through burial or cremation.

What is a visitation vs funeral?

A visitation is often a less formal gathering of loved ones, usually taking place before a funeral. Visitations can be held several days before the funeral service, the night before, or even the day of. Funerals are typically more formal ceremonies, with set structures and time limits.

What is the difference between a viewing and a visitation?

The core difference between visitation and viewing is how the deceased person's body is presented. In a viewing, the body is on display in a casket or coffin, but a visitation can occur with a closed casket or without the body present.