Can A Wake Be Held On A Saturday?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Is It Okay to Have a Funeral on a Saturday or Sunday?

Funerals can be held on both Saturday and Sundays

depending on the family’s needs, as well as the funeral home and/or burial ground availability.

Can you have a wake on Saturday?

Funerals are indeed

held on weekends

, but it is pretty rare for a few important reasons. … However, some circumstances require a funeral to be held on the weekend.

What times are wakes usually held?

A typical visitation time is generally

between 2:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

These can be adjusted per a family’s request. As the sunsets earlier a family may wish the visitation to end at 8:00 PM, allowing friends to drive home before dark.

Can a funeral be held the next day?

A standard

funeral can be up to about 2 weeks after the date of death

. If the body is cremated, the family can wait as long as they’d like, but most are done within a month at the latest. If the deceased is already buried or cremated, a memorial service can be held at any later date.

Can funerals happen on Sunday?


Funerals are indeed held on weekends

, but it is pretty rare for a few important reasons. Ministers that officiate funerals are usually busy on weekends. This is especially true on Sundays, when they are with their own parishes or other houses of worship. Cemeteries are often only open on weekdays.

What is proper etiquette for a wake?

It’s not mandatory to view the body, but you can stop and say a silent prayer if you wish.

After passing the casket, approach the family and introduce yourself if necessary

. Say a few kind words about the deceased, shake their hands, give them hugs, offer a warm smile – any small gesture will be appropriate.

How long after death can you have an open casket?

For an open casket or delayed funeral, a body should be embalmed

no longer than two days after death

for the best results.

What day of the week are funerals?


Saturdays

are the most popular day for funerals in America. Alternatively, Sundays are generally the least busy day of the week for funeral homes. For burials, some cemeteries may charge a fee for opening and closing a grave on Sunday.

How long can an embalmed body be viewed?

How long can the body remain preserved? A body presents little threat to public health in the first day following the death. However, after 24 hours the body will need some level of embalming. A mortuary will be able to preserve the body for

approximately a week

.

How long after someone dies is the viewing?

A wake (sometimes referred to as a viewing or visitation) will usually happen

within a week of death

. So this answer is very similar to that of the question “How long after death is the funeral?” The wake itself typically takes place the evening before the funeral.

Are funerals more expensive on weekends?

You’ll pay to open and close the grave, and the cost will vary depending on the time and day. A burial between 9 am and 3 pm on weekdays is the cheapest. Burial after 3 pm could cost twice as much, and a

weekend funeral could cost three times the weekday morning rate

.

How long is a wake?

How long does a wake last? A wake typically lasts anywhere from

two to six hours

depending on the circumstances. They hold them in the early evening hours of the day preceding the funeral service.

How long can you delay a funeral?

You can delay a funeral

for as long as you can keep the body preserved

. There’s no law or a set number of days or weeks that one has to have a funeral by, if at all. If you have access to a refrigeration unit or freezer you could postpone it indefinitely. Usually, though it is done within two weeks.

Is it disrespectful to not go to a wake?


They can be distracting

, and they often say and do inappropriate things. Don’t push yourself to attend both the wake and the funeral. Attending one service is enough if you have small children. But make sure you consider your relationship with the deceased and the bereaved.

Are you supposed to bring anything to a wake?

A wake may last a few hours, or the deceased’s family may welcome mourners to their home over the course of a few days prior to the funeral. Bring

edible gifts like casseroles, sandwiches, baked goods

, or fruit baskets so the family doesn’t have to worry about food. They may even share it with guests.

What do you say to someone at a wake?

  1. “I wish we were here together under different circumstances. …
  2. “Thank you so much for organizing the wake for (insert deceased individual’s name)- I know they would have loved every special touch that you’ve done.
Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.