How to Attend a Wake

Losing someone is one of the most difficult moments in life. Death can be sudden or anticipated, short or prolonged. With all the emotions and feelings that run during the times of mourning, there are specific activities that take place. Mainly, there will be a funeral and sometimes a wake. Wakes can be solemn or joyous, gloomy or reaffirming. Here are steps to navigating a difficult event caused by an even more so difficult moment.

Things You'll Need

• Kindness
• Sympathy
• Communication

Instructions

1. Read the obituary. In order to find out details about the wake, find the obituary. Read it to get an idea about the person who has passed and to understand the mourning person that you want to support.

2. Find out details of the wake. If you cannot find out the time and place of the obituary, check with mutual friends. It is not a show of support to disturb the people who are grieving by troubling them for funeral details.

3. Find out if anyone else is going. If it is a mutual friend who has suffered a loss, then you may be able to find others you know to go with. This could help if you're uncomfortable in such situations. Schedule meeting up somewhere or even arriving at the same time.

4. Go to the wake and be on time. There are set hours; make sure you respect the time frames given.

5. Give your sympathies. Find those you're there to support, tell them your sorry for their loss and let them know you're here if they need anything. Be sincere and don't be afraid because you don't know what to do. There's nothing you can do except show them your concern.

6. Leave when it's time. Some people don't know when to leave a wake. Remember, no matter what you say or how long you stay, you can't bring their loved one back. After you're extending your sympathies and met whomever they would like you to meet, it's time to go. Lingering as a stranger in the background will probably just make you feel uncomfortable. Leave quietly and without disruption.