What historical function did wakes serve?

Wakes historically served the significant function of keeping vigil over the deceased’s body until burial. This practice emerged from ancient customs where family members and community members would come together to honor and watch over the body, ensuring it was treated with respect and dignity during the critical period before burial. The vigil allowed for reflection, mourning, and support from the community, who provided a shared space for grief and remembrance. By attending the wake, loved ones could pay their respects and share in the collective sorrow while guarding against the possibility of any disturbance to the body before the final farewell. This vigil aspect underscores the wake’s role as a transitional event, bridging the period of death and the burial, emphasizing the respect for life and honoring the deceased within cultural traditions.