Comments on: What Irish Funerals Can Teach Us About Celebrating Life

By: Funeral Songs From Around The World – Heavenly Doves

Funeral Songs From Around The World – Heavenly Doves — Sat, 13 Nov 2021 08:23:55 +0000

[…] The wake would become a mix of sombre & celebratory gathering of the community where family and friends would eat, drink, and share stories until late in the night. The rosary and prayers would be recited throughout the night. Often the body of the deceased would be laid out on a bed, wrapped in white cloth and mourners could say their last words or prayers to their loved one. Lit candles were placed around the body and often tobacco was smoked to keep the evil spirits away. Clocks were stopped at the time of death and mirrors were all covered or turned around. A funeral service with a priest would occur in the evening and then the next day at the grave site. Source: FuneralOne […]

By: Krystal Penrose

Krystal Penrose — Mon, 18 Jan 2021 23:40:25 +0000

In reply to Maureen Blair. Wow that's an amazing story Maureen! What a beautiful first experience of an Irish wake. The Irish do it best I must say!

By: Maureen Blair

Maureen Blair — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 22:03:59 +0000

When I was very young my grandparents lived on the 2nd floor of a two family house in the Bronx, New York. The Murphy family lived downstairs. One day there were several people in and out of the Murphy’s
apartment. I wandered in and Mr Murphy was “sleeping” on the dining room table. Music was playing, it was like a party. I was only 3 at the time. Several years later I learned it was Mr. Murphy’s wake.

By: Pagan Funerals: Burials, Customs, and Pagan Funeral Songs

Pagan Funerals: Burials, Customs, and Pagan Funeral Songs — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:59:14 +0000

[…] hold an Irish wake: click here to learn more […]

By: DON

DON — Sun, 24 May 2020 03:38:47 +0000

i wish in the united states it was allowed a lot of celtic history is good for all

By: Krystal Penrose

Krystal Penrose — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 00:41:15 +0000

In reply to Megan Zierden. Hi Megan, yes, anything is possible! Just be sure to ask your funeral director to help you make this happen :)

By: Megan Zierden

Megan Zierden — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 20:58:01 +0000

i read your information on an Irish funeral and was wondering if it was possible for an American to do that if they are part Irish?

By: Philip Dunphy

Philip Dunphy — Sun, 31 Dec 2017 16:27:30 +0000

We recently fulfilled the last wishes of our father who was from Ireland. He obviously attended many funerals as a kid and left us instructions as how it was to be. He was set up for three nights in his house where many people came to pay respects. At the graveyard, he requested that we three sons backfill his grave by shovel. Needless to say this took a special request to the groundskeeper, but we were successful.
The funeral home had not done an Irish wake in decades, but they did it!
Thank you for writing this, it is a good tradition and I recommend keeping it alive.
Thanks Rochelle

By: Funeral Insurance

Funeral Insurance — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 11:26:44 +0000

This is very useful. Thanks for sharing the information!

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 04:12:22 +0000

This is very helpful. I am currently going through training to be a death doula.I hope to be able to help people have knowledge of ancient funeral practices. Also as I think what I want for my funeral I really want it to be from my Irish heritage. This is a great start in researching the Irish wake.