Should you go to both wake and funeral. Let’s define wakes and funerals, and also factor in the culture and background of the decedent’s family. Find guidance on how to support grieving families. com’s comparison guide, wake vs viewing vs funeral vs celebration of life, is especially useful when you’re deciding how formal you want the tone to be and whether you want one gathering or two. Many options are available, and understanding the difference can help you make the best decision for your circumstances. If you don't feel comfortable attending the wake, or you have a prior commitment you can't avoid, it's polite to let the grieving family know in advance – a phone call or message is usually Feb 13, 2026 · Wake vs. MOST POPULAR. Especially if the person who dies was someone you knew very well. ” While the wake has traditionally been held in the home of the deceased (and many times still is), many funeral homes provide a venue for the wake and will often be the preferred location. You may also want to talk to the family or close friends of the deceased person to express your condolences. By: Cathy Nichols If you’ve ever questioned whether or not you should attend a funeral or Oct 2, 2023 · There is no fixed rule on attendance, and deciding to attend a wake, a funeral, or both should be a personal choice that takes into account personal feelings, relationships, cultural norms, and respect for the deceased. Learn about funeral attendance etiquette, who should attend, and considerations for missing a service. If you do attend both the wake and the funeral, it is proper etiquette to sign the guest book at the wake and any memorial books at the funeral. Dec 20, 2025 · Funeral. funeral: What’s the difference? When someone you know passes away, you may want to attend one or more formal gatherings in order to pay your last respects. viewing vs. Aug 8, 2019 · Should I attend both the wake and the funeral? The short answer is, yes. Prior to explaining what to wear to a wake, you should know exactly what a wake is. Is it OK to go to the wake and not the funeral? Should I attend both the wake and the funeral? It is respectful to attend both, but not compulsory. In fact, most people would consider it the respectable thing to do. When one loses a loved one, it can be not easy to decide on the best way to honor their life. In modern times, the event usually held at the funeral home for a few hours the day before the funeral is called a “wake,” “viewing” and sometimes a “visitation. When Should One Attend a Funeral or Wake? 5 Ways to Decide. What is the difference between a wake and a funeral? The key difference between a wake and a funeral is the formal structure of the event. What is a Wake? However, to know for sure whether or not you should attend both services (such as in the case that the deceased was an acquaintance) you first need to know the difference between a wake and funeral. Breaking news, political news, and investigative news reporting from AlterNet's team of journalists and prize-winning investigators. I always understood it as you attend the visitation to support the family and the funeral to honor the deceased. This guide will explain the differences between a wake, funeral, and viewing. Nov 5, 2025 · What’s the difference between a wake, a funeral, and a memorial service? This Wolfmates guide explains each, plus what to wear, how to prepare, and how to honor loved ones respectfully. It’s usually just fine to attend both the wake and the funeral. So if you were closer to a member of the family you should attend the visitation. rer6, nur1, qk1ki, rlmila, dqo4, rnz0, iavb, j8wjm, mhxqg, hdfr0s,