| What are the ancient Irish funeral traditions/ procedures for royalty?
An ancient Irish funeral tradition that is widely practiced throughout the centuries by the rich or poor is the "wake." A wake is a funeral tradition associated mostly with Irish culture, though there are equivalents in other cultures as well. A traditional wake takes place shortly after death and before the burial, but wakes held after the funeral is becoming more common. Traditionally, a wake is held in the home of the deceased, though some are held in funeral parlors today. A wake may simply be a viewing, at which people pay their last respects to the deceased, or it may be more of a party, combining mourning with a celebration of the deceased's life and of his or her entry into the afterlife. Originally, a wake was held to watch for signs of life and to confirm that the person was dead before burial, and the custom evolved over time into the formal farewell it is today. In Ireland, there are a number of customs associated with the wake. All clocks in the house are stopped and mirrors are covered. The women of the family wash and dress the deceased, often in white, and perform keening, traditional mourning songs. Other common activities during an Irish wake are eating and drinking, prayer, dancing, playing games, and of course, reminiscing about the deceased. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-wake.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wake_(ceremony)  | 
05-13-2008, 05:11 AM
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