Wake Planning Checklist: Honoring Your Loved One

A wake is a gathering held before or after a funeral where friends and family come together to pay their respects to the deceased, offer condolences, and provide support to one another.

Remember that planning a wake involves both practical and emotional considerations. Utilizing this checklist can help ensure that you honor your loved one's memory in a meaningful and well-organized manner during this challenging time.

Next Steps to Planning:

1. Casket Decision:
   • Decide on an open vs. closed casket.
   • If choosing an open casket, discuss with your funeral provider whether embalming is required.
2. Designate a Host:
   • Choose a trusted individual to lead the proceedings, reducing stress and ensuring a smooth gathering.
3. Prepare Personal Elements:
   • Gather photographs, videos, music, scripture, poems, or tributes to personalize the service.
   • Decide whether music will be live or recorded.
4. Eulogy Planning:
   • Determine if a eulogy will be part of the wake.
   • Identify who will deliver the eulogy; consider close friends or family members.
   • The eulogist may be the same person who wrote the obituary.
5. Schedule Date and Time:
   • Decide on the date and duration of the wake, which can be a short service before the funeral or last several days.
6. Create a Memorial Website 
   • These help preserve memories, help friends and family communicate service details, add photos & videos, etc. 
   • Keeper and Funeralocity offer free versions. 
7. Notify Attendees:
   • Choose whether the wake will be private or public.
   • Decide on the guest list and the best way to inform attendees of the details.
   • Consider including wake information in the obituary but remember that the funeral and wake guest lists can differ.
8. Security Measures:
   • Ask someone to watch over the home during the wake, as homes can be vulnerable during such events.
   • Enlist a neighbor, friend, or local police to keep an eye on the premises.
9. Floral Arrangements:
   • Plan for floral arrangements to personalize the service for your loved one, friends, and family.
   • Choose meaningful flowers and decide on their placement.
10. Food and Beverages:
    • Organize catering for the wake or seek assistance from others in preparing and bringing snacks and drinks.
    • Decide whether alcohol will be served and if there will be a toast.
    • Some funeral homes and churches have a catering offering. If an outside company is necessary, start here.

NOTE:

• You can compare funeral homes and cremation companies with Funeralocity and Parting.com.
• For more information, Bereave has a blog with a more in depth look into planning a wake and what to expect when attending one.