A wake served

A wake served as a safeguard from burying someone who was not dead, but in a coma.

Most wakes also lasted 3-4 days to allow relatives to arrive from far away.

The use of flowers and candles helped to mask unpleasant odors in the room, before embalming became common.

In rural areas before embalming was practiced, people would "wake the body" .

The custom was to sit with the deceased all night, usually 2 nights, to make sure the person in question was truly deceased.

Someone always had to be with the body, partly out of respect, and partly to ward off evil spirits.

Funerals were usually held in the home of the deceased.

They were open to the public rather than just for friends and family. The body would usually be displayed in the front parlor, but sometimes in the loved one's bedroom.

Black crepe was fastened to wreaths and doorknobs, as an announcement to neighbours that the family was in mourning.

As news of the death spread, people would stop by the home to pay their respects, often bringing plates of food, homemade pies and cake.

Other things were done, when a loved one died~

* Mirrors were covered or removed from the home for some feared that if one saw the reflection of the deceased they too would die, while others believed the soul of their loved one would get trapped and not be able to pass to the other side.

* Clocks in the house were stopped (not doing so would lead to bad luck).

* If bodies were removed from the home and taken to the undertaker for embalming they were carted out feet first for fear that the dead might look back into the home and by doing so lure others present to join them in death.

* Family photographs were also sometimes turned face-down to prevent any of the close relatives and friends of the deceased from being possessed by the spirit of the dead.

If a funeral was held at a funeral parlor, it usually meant the person did not have enough family or friends to take care of the services.

Coffins or caskets were not always used either.

Instead a sheet often consisting of wool or linen dipped in wax, a blanket, or a quilt was used to wrap the body.

The covering was usually supplied by women friends, or family.

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Source ~ Vintage History/CabinetOfCuriosity.

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