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The visitation |
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At the visitation (also called a "viewing" or "wake") the embalmed
body of the
deceased person (or decedent) is placed on display in the coffin (also
called a casket). The viewing often takes place on one or two evenings
before the funeral. The body will usually be dressed in the decedent's
best clothes.
The body will also be adorned with the usual jewellery, including a watch. The jewellery and watch will remain in the casket after burial, but it might be removed before cremation.
The only prescribed aspects of this gathering are that frequently the attendees sign a book kept by the deceased's survivors to record who attended and that the attendees are expected to view the deceased's body in the coffin.
In addition, a family may choose to display photographs taken of the deceased person during his/her life (often, formal portraits with other family members and candid pictures to show "happy times"), prized possessions and other items representing his/her hobbies and/or accomplishments. A more recent trend is to create a DVD with pictures and video of the deceased, accompanied by music, and played continuously during the visitation.
The viewing is either "open coffin/casket", in which the embalmed body of the deceased has been clothed and treated with cosmetics for display; or "closed coffin/casket", in which the coffin is closed. The coffin may be closed if the body was too badly damaged because of an accident or fire, deformed from illness or if someone in the group is emotionally unable to cope with viewing the corpse. During an open casket, if the deceased was of Roman Catholic faith, a large rosary made out of fresh flowers may be hung inside of the coffin.
The decedent's closest friends and relatives who are unable to attend frequently send flowers to the viewing. The viewing typically takes place at a funeral home, which is equipped with gathering rooms where the viewing can be conducted, although the viewing may also take place at a church or at a house. The viewing may end with a prayer service, this may include a rosary.
A visitation is often held the evening before the day of the funeral. However, when the deceased person is elderly the visitation may be held immediately preceding the funeral. This allows elderly friends of the deceased a chance to view the body and attend the funeral in one trip, since it may be difficult for them to arrange travel.