Reminds me of the Old Spice jingle. “Old Spice means quality” said the captain to the bo’sun. “So look for the package with the ship that sails the ocean.”
It might be my own personal experience but I haven’t been to a wake in quite some time. Burials and/or post-burial memorial services (at a later date), yes. I wonder if that has to do with the expense of it all. What are the ingredients for “a good wake?”
The origin of the “Irish Wake” as we know it is generally unknown. It is thought to have been heavily influenced by element of paganism in its rituals, and was therefore very much frowned on by the Church. Some sources claim that the ‘wake’ has its origins in the ancient Jewish custom of leaving the sepulchre, or burial chamber, open and unsealed for three days before sealing it. This is too ensure that the person is truly dead and to allow the family and others to pay their respects to the dead person.
Other claims made [most probably folklore] are that the Irish tradition of the wake came about because of lead poisoning in pewter tanks — very prevalent in Ireland in bygone eras – holding beer and other beverages. Due to the high level of lead in the pewter mug, many of the drinkers who used them would enter a ‘cationic state’ resembling death. The sufferer could regain consciousness after some hours or even days — hence the three-day ‘Wake.’ Other sources suggest there are many Irish rural folk who call the day their loved ones die as a third birthday. Being born, often screaming into this life [first birthday]; then baptized [second birthday], and then death, when they enter eternal life — so on this third birthday, it is a cause for celebration.
From the black-edged envelope being pinned to the door to announce the death, there follow many more rituals. A room will be prepared to house the dead body. The window will be opened to allow the spirit to move onto and into its eternal journey, and nobody must block the window, as this is thought to bring misfortune to whoever has blocked the spirit’s path to eternal life. The curtains will be drawn and the window will be shut again after two to three hours, so that the spirit does not return.
The body would then be washed with Holy Water, usually by a ‘handy woman’ – my maternal grandmother being one such woman.
The dead person would then have been dressed in a linen shroud, thus leaving all his worldly materialism behind. This is what was always known as ‘being laid out.’ If the deceased was male, he would be shaved.
The mirror would be either covered in a white sheet or a linen cloth or turned to face the wall — this is thought to hide the physical body from the dead body.
The undertaker will then be called – to provide a coffin. Candles are then lit at the four corners of the coffin, and will remain lit until the body has been moved to the church. The body would not be left alone.
Once this has all been completed, the neighbours and friends are then invited in, or just call to pay their respects and offer their condolences. Then all the ribaldry would begin. Pipes would be passed around the group to aid the merriment. Tea and sandwiches would be made, with neighbours fetching in homemade cake and buns. Beer or poteen that had been brewed in the mountains would be offered, tales would be told about the dead person, and the naughtier it was, the more laughter ensued .
This would go on all that night, and the next day the body would be taken to the church, where it would be received by the priest and prayers would be said. The third day would be the funeral – with Mass being celebrated for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Then, as now, the funeral party would either defer to the local pub or return to the family home, where the merriments would continue.
In the case of the death of a youth or a child, the wake is more somber, and distinctly lower-key – as it should be.
hariseldon59 over 3 years ago
Spoiler alert: As I recall, Portnoy wasn’t terribly happy with what Opus left him.
Iseau over 3 years ago
No Hopeis for Opis
Gandalf over 3 years ago
Does Breathed know what a ‘bugger’ is?!!!!
Tenner over 3 years ago
what about Cutter John, no one cares
Bob Blumenfeld over 3 years ago
Reminds me of the Old Spice jingle. “Old Spice means quality” said the captain to the bo’sun. “So look for the package with the ship that sails the ocean.”
Wren Fahel over 3 years ago
Bad timing for me: last night I went to the funeral of a 12-year-old disabled boy.
BC in NC Premium Member over 3 years ago
It might be my own personal experience but I haven’t been to a wake in quite some time. Burials and/or post-burial memorial services (at a later date), yes. I wonder if that has to do with the expense of it all. What are the ingredients for “a good wake?”
ChessPirate over 3 years ago
I’ve been to an Irish Wake, IMNSHO, they are the only kind we should have…
( ͡~ ⌣ ʖ ͡~ )
Honorable Mention In The Banjo Toss Premium Member over 3 years ago
Is the story headed for a Tom Sawyer moment?
briangj2 over 3 years ago
The origin of the “Irish Wake” as we know it is generally unknown. It is thought to have been heavily influenced by element of paganism in its rituals, and was therefore very much frowned on by the Church. Some sources claim that the ‘wake’ has its origins in the ancient Jewish custom of leaving the sepulchre, or burial chamber, open and unsealed for three days before sealing it. This is too ensure that the person is truly dead and to allow the family and others to pay their respects to the dead person.
Other claims made [most probably folklore] are that the Irish tradition of the wake came about because of lead poisoning in pewter tanks — very prevalent in Ireland in bygone eras – holding beer and other beverages. Due to the high level of lead in the pewter mug, many of the drinkers who used them would enter a ‘cationic state’ resembling death. The sufferer could regain consciousness after some hours or even days — hence the three-day ‘Wake.’ Other sources suggest there are many Irish rural folk who call the day their loved ones die as a third birthday. Being born, often screaming into this life [first birthday]; then baptized [second birthday], and then death, when they enter eternal life — so on this third birthday, it is a cause for celebration.
From the black-edged envelope being pinned to the door to announce the death, there follow many more rituals. A room will be prepared to house the dead body. The window will be opened to allow the spirit to move onto and into its eternal journey, and nobody must block the window, as this is thought to bring misfortune to whoever has blocked the spirit’s path to eternal life. The curtains will be drawn and the window will be shut again after two to three hours, so that the spirit does not return.
The body would then be washed with Holy Water, usually by a ‘handy woman’ – my maternal grandmother being one such woman.
(To be concluded)
briangj2 over 3 years ago
(Conclusion)
The dead person would then have been dressed in a linen shroud, thus leaving all his worldly materialism behind. This is what was always known as ‘being laid out.’ If the deceased was male, he would be shaved.
The mirror would be either covered in a white sheet or a linen cloth or turned to face the wall — this is thought to hide the physical body from the dead body.
The undertaker will then be called – to provide a coffin. Candles are then lit at the four corners of the coffin, and will remain lit until the body has been moved to the church. The body would not be left alone.
Once this has all been completed, the neighbours and friends are then invited in, or just call to pay their respects and offer their condolences. Then all the ribaldry would begin. Pipes would be passed around the group to aid the merriment. Tea and sandwiches would be made, with neighbours fetching in homemade cake and buns. Beer or poteen that had been brewed in the mountains would be offered, tales would be told about the dead person, and the naughtier it was, the more laughter ensued .
This would go on all that night, and the next day the body would be taken to the church, where it would be received by the priest and prayers would be said. The third day would be the funeral – with Mass being celebrated for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Then, as now, the funeral party would either defer to the local pub or return to the family home, where the merriments would continue.
In the case of the death of a youth or a child, the wake is more somber, and distinctly lower-key – as it should be.
https://celticlifeintl.com/the-irish-wake/
jackboyd85 over 3 years ago
Opus shall return.
Sisyphos over 3 years ago
This is what you get when you set up a BYOB wake! What morbid fun!