After a loved one passes away, it can create a significant amount of pain and stress for some individuals, and they are going to seek out funeral homes in Lake Helen, FL, for scheduling the event. Many different details can happen at the services, including a funeral or a wake, but for someone who doesn’t know the difference, it can be confusing what to choose. So, in this article, we will discuss the difference between them more in-depth to help bring some clarity.
What is a Wake?
Awake is considered more of a visitation or a viewing and will offer a time frame to view the individual after they have passed away and talk with the family members to offer condolences. It can also be an optimal time to show support for the family to let them know they are not alone in their experience. The awake can occur at various places, including restaurants, individuals’ homes, or even in banquet halls depending on the needs of the individuals.
What is a Funeral?
A traditional funeral can be an event that is more formal than awake, and it can even involve religious aspects. In most cases, a clergy member may give a sermon, and other individuals may also read eulogies about the loved one. The funeral is traditionally completed at the cemetery, and there may be a burial that will follow it.
Other Considerations
An open casket may be included at either a funeral or the wake, but traditionally the casket is usually closed during the funeral process and may have a decoration on the exterior such as a religious symbol. The wake will typically have the casket open because it is an opportunity for individuals to view the deceased and say goodbye to them unless their culture or religion does not allow it.
The wake will generally be a come as you please event intended for individuals to say goodbye and offer condolences. At the same time, the funeral is an opportunity to pay respects to the family and the deceased and learn more information about the loved one through the readings.
Wakes are more casual, whereas funerals are more formal due to the event’s purpose. Wakes are not known for having rituals, but these are more likely to happen at a funeral due to religious backgrounds.
The burial process will generally not happen at the wake but is often right after the funeral process and may include an additional service where individuals can drop flowers or other items of love into the plot.
Compassionate Care for All Our Community
Whether you’re planning a wake or a funeral, these can have intricate details that need to be expressed to create a thoughtful service, and if you’ve been looking at funeral homes in Lake Helen, FL, we would love to assist you. We are a locally owned company that takes great pride in creating events that will help the family honorably lay their loved one to rest, so if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us today.
