The Irish do things differently, including the way they honour death. We look at the traditions of and Irish wake.
You haven’t experienced authentic Ireland until you have experienced the traditions of an Irish wake.
A wake is a cause for celebrating the recently passed loved one, allowing mourners to come to pay their respects.
The Irish do many traditions around wakes differently, so read on to discover what they are.
10. Curtains are drawn in the home of the deceased – a mark of respect
When a person passes, the curtains in the home are generally drawn shut out of respect for the deceased and the chief mourners.
Anyone who has lost a close relative will know how exhausting it can be to be in the direct funeral party, so drawing the curtains is a way to ensure privacy in those very vulnerable moments.
9. Wake held in the home – a true sign of an Irish wake
The wake is more often than not contained in the home of the deceased. This tends to be in the front sitting room of the house with an open coffin.
Alternatively, the body is sometimes laid out in a bed before being moved to the coffin before the funeral.
8. Shoes at the foot of the body – for the deceased to use in the afterlife
Shoes are traditionally placed at the foot of the dead. To the untrained eye, it may seem that somebody took their shoes off in the middle of the room and forgot to put them away. However, this is intentional at a wake in Ireland.
Shoes are placed at the foot of the deceased, so their soul may step into them to help them walk through purgatory.
7. Sleeping in the room with the body – this is one of the weirder traditions
This one isn’t for the faint-hearted. Many families make a tradition of sleeping overnight in the same room as the corpse.
Many Irish relatives will regale sleeping in the room with their grandmother or grandfather with their cousins the night before they are finally laid to rest. Some may find this a bit odd, but it is part of the grieving process for many Irish people.
6. Alcohol – a wee drink
It isn’t truly an Irish wake unless there is alcohol involved. Alcohol is generally used to numb the nerves of loved ones during such an emotional and overwhelming time.
The drink loosens everyone up, and stories and merriment in remembering the deceased’s life come with that.
Drinking a few whiskeys and listening to some music with the other mourners is a great way to celebrate and remember a life of a mutual loved one.
5. The rosary – said by the parish priest
The rosary is one of the highest traditions for an Irish wake. The priest comes in and leads the rosary with the help of the chief mourners, and everyone piles into the room with the corpse and says a prayer.
Why is this done? So the deceased may find eternal rest.
4. Cups of tea – and lots of them
Is there anything a cup of tea can’t cure? Wakes are a prime time for a cup of tea. A typical Irish wake could see hundreds of people gathering to pay their respects, so it’s only proper that the chief mourners have plenty of tea ready for the visitors.
Neighbours and close friends often step in to help serve the tea. Still, the chief mourners often engage with this task as a distraction from the heartache.
3. Cake – generally brought by visitors
Rarely does someone show up to an Irish wake empty-handed. It is only natural for people to show up to pay their respects with a tin containing buns or cakes of some sort.
An empty stomach is no way to mourn, so people tend to bring food to wakes to ensure the chief mourners don’t go hungry over the days of mourning.
2. Sandwiches – too many sandwiches
Where there’s tea and cake, sandwiches are always close in proximity. Expect trays upon trays of sandwiches.
Many people attend Irish wakes purely for the delicious free food. Sure, do you blame them in this economy?
1. Putting souvenirs in the pockets of the corpse – a little trinket from the land of the living
This is one of the most significant traditions practised at wakes. People love giving the deceased something to help them to the other side.
If Grandad loved smoking, you could bet several packs of Major are hidden in his garments. Did Nana like a sucky sweet? Expect to find a few Werther’s Originals tucked into her pockets. This is a gorgeous tradition.
