It has been the Church's goal in the funeral rites not
only to commend the dead to God, but also to support the
Christian hope of the people and to offer to those who mourn
assistance in the profession of their own faith in eternal life.
For this reason, it has been customary, at some opportune time
and place between death and burial, to have a gathering of the
family and friends of the deceased. This affords the opportunity
both for private prayer and for a communal service in which
those in attendance may join to bring the peace and consolation
of Christ to the bereaved.
The wake or prayer service may take the form of one of the
"vigil services" contained in the funeral ritual, other similar
services, the traditional recitation of the rosary, or other
acts of piety and devotion. Generally, it takes place the
afternoon or evening preceding the funeral; it may be held,
according to local custom and particular circumstances, in the
funeral home, the home of the deceased, or, preferably, in the
parish church. If there is visitation with the family or viewing
of the body, these would take place at this time.
