The traditional Irish Wake was commonplace
around Ireland up until about the 1970's. This was the
process of Laying out the body of a departed relative
in the house where they lived and /or died. All of the
family and quite a few of the deceased ones neighbours
and friends would gather at the house. The body was
usually in a coffin in the parlour of the house or
living room. There would be lots of food and plenty of
drink to be consumed. People would come and socialise
and remember the departed person's life. This wasn't a
time for tears to say the least, it was more of a
party than a funeral. It was the traditional Irish way
of celebrating one's life and ensuring that they had a
good send off. A proper Irish Wake is worth the time and
effort required to return to the old customs. It is
hard to imagine a passing being complete without
one!
The Wake is the period of time from death until
the body is conveyed to the care of the church which
is generally the evening before the day of burial.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE STEPS IN THE PROCESS OF THE
WAKE:
1. Neighbouring women experienced in laying out
the body gather at the house of the diseased.
2. The body is washed.
3. A habit is put on the body.
4. A bed is prepared for the body.
5. If the body is of a man - he has to be clean
shaven before the habit is put on.
6. A crucifix is placed on the breast and rosary
beads are put in the fingers.
7. Sheets are hung over the bed and along two or
three sides.
8. Candles are lighted in candlesticks near the
remains.
(This process takes about two hours)
'KEENING & CRYING'
.
The vocalizations over the dead is very important.
1. The women who prepared the body join the
family.
2. The mourning family produces either muffled
sobs or loud wailing related to the depth of
sorrow.
3. In the event that the death was considered a “great
loss” (a parent leaving a large family or tragic
or early death) Keening is most intense and
heartfelt.
4. After a while of Keening mourners are led away
from the bedside by a few neighbours and are
consoled.
5. Word is sent out to distant relatives and is
spread with the help of a local shop or
village.
6. Preparation and then Keening does not wait for
the arrival or others.
7. If the person dies late in the evening the main
Wake is not held until the following night so
as to give neighbours and distant relatives
time to attend.
'PREPARATIONS & REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WAKE'.
1. Two men - a relative and a neighbour take
part.
2. The Coffin is ordered (traditionally made by a
local carpenter at the Wake house).
3. Supplies are brought in - bread, meat, food of
all kinds. Whisky, stout, wine, pipes, tobacco,
snuff. (Tobacco and snuff are extremely
important as is alcohol).
'SET UP OF THE WAKE HOUSE'.
1. A plate of snuff is taken to all for a pinch.
A clay pipe filled with tobacco is given to all
and all are provided with food and drink -
traditionally a meal.
2. Pipefull's of tobacco are offered.
3. The place for the corpse is determined by the
house itself. A table, settle or bed in the kitchen
or one of the rooms is used. A loft may be
used.
4. The clocks are stopped as a mark of
respect. (Roslea).
5. All mirrors are turned toward the wall or
covered. (Roslea).
'WATCHING THE BODY AND RITUAL OF VISITING THE
CORPSE'.
1. A corpse must not be left unattended for
the entire Wake.
2. A person, generally a woman or more sits
nearby.
3. On entrance, the mourner makes their way to
the side of the corpse, kneels down and silently recites
a few prayers for the departed soul.
4. Mourner is then welcomed by the relatives and
expresses sympathy. “I’m sorry for your
trouble”...then the mourner speaks kindly of
the deceased and then walks away.
5. The mourner is offered food and drink for the
hours spent at the Wake. If the weather is good
the men congregate outside - if not, they
go to the kitchen (this is very important and
traditional). The corpse is often in the
parlour and there is a division between the
room of the corpse and celebration.
6. The mourner stays for a few hours. The old men
and women come in the morning and with the end of
the working day others in the community stop in.
7. The visitation lasts until midnight.
8. The Rosary is recited once or twice - at
midnight and then towards morning. The Rosary
is lead by an important figure - teacher or
leader who recites the first decade then the
relatives take part. A truly traditional Wake
will have a special rosary for the dead and
traditional prayers. The rosary is said around the
corpse with those around the house reciting the
responses.
9. Most visitors leave at midnight.
10. Close neighbours remain till morning. They
drink tea, whisky or beer and talk about general
affairs. Anecdotes are told with quiet laughter but
within a solemn and decorous mood.
11. There are two funerals for the
corpse, one in the evening and the second is when
the body is taken to the graveyard on the next day.
Unfortunately the traditional Irish
wake, is not that common anymore, and is mostly
confined to the west of Ireland. Irish wakes mostly
followed this patter, although Irish wakes in
Roscommon, were known for the boisterous play and
games
Sources:
O'Suilleabhain, Sean., Irish Wake
Amusements., Mercier, Dublin, 1976.
Uris, Leon., Trinity., Doubleday, New York,
1976.
