WAKE · VIGIL BEFORE THE FUNERAL
A wake (also called a vigil) is the keeping of watch over the deceased in the night or nights before the funeral, at home or in a chapel. Family and friends come to pay their last respects beside the open casket, with candles lit. We prepare the casket, the chapel, the candles, and everything else that is needed.
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A wake is the keeping of watch over the deceased in the night before the funeral. The casket is open, with candles burning at each of the four corners, while family and friends come to pray and say their last goodbye.
It is a moment of mourning and of respect, maintained by tradition. The wake is held at home or in a hired chapel, depending on the family's preference and available space.
The Romanian word for a wake, “priveghi”, comes from the verb “a priveghea” — to keep watch. The Romanian dictionary defines it plainly as watching over the deceased at night, before the burial. The verb goes back to the Latin “pervigilare”, to stay awake all night.
In Orthodox tradition, the wake is not simply waiting for the funeral. It is time given to prayer for the person who has died. The Church teaches that the departed can no longer pray for themselves, and that those left behind help them through prayer. That is why the Psalms are read, candles are kept burning, and the priest is called.
The wake matters for the living as well. Relatives, neighbours, and friends come to sit with the family. The family is not left alone in the first days, and everyone who knew the person says goodbye together.
How long it lasts differs by region. In many villages the deceased stays at home until the third day, with two nights of vigil. In towns and cities, a single night at a chapel is more common. There is no single rule for the whole country: the family follows local custom and agrees the details with the parish priest.
At a Romanian wake, the deceased is never left alone, candles stay lit, the Psalms are read, and people speak quietly. These rules come from Orthodox tradition and from plain good sense. Some customs change from one village to the next; these are the ones observed almost everywhere.
In the evening, the family can ask the priest to hold a short service beside the casket. In many regions it is called “stâlpii” — literally “the pillars”. At its heart is the reading of the Gospel: passages from all four Gospels.
The number of passages read differs by region: eleven or twelve in some places, more in others. The service is usually held at dusk, but it can take place at another time of day. The priest will tell you how it is done in his parish.
How long is the prayer service? It is a short prayer. The exact length depends on local practice and on how many Gospel passages are read, so ask the priest when you arrange it. Between services, a church reader or someone close to the family reads from the Psalter.
During the service, those present stand quietly with a lit candle and pray with the priest. Keep your candle away from other people's clothing. We can arrange the priest for you. For what happens the next day, see our guide to the Orthodox funeral service.
To visit a Romanian wake, bring a candle and, if you wish, flowers, and wear simple, dark clothes. Nothing else is needed. What matters is to come with respect and, if you are not family, not to stay too long.
The wake is usually the first time after the death that the family receives visitors: relatives, neighbours, and friends come, memories are shared, and prayers are said together.
Grief continues long after the funeral. Our guide on what mourning means explains the customs and how long they last. If the grief becomes hard to carry, you can talk to a specialist — see bereavement counselling.
A wake normally lasts one or two nights, between the death and the funeral. Tradition holds that the deceased should not be left alone — the family takes turns keeping watch, particularly through the night.
The duration depends on local custom, the day of the funeral, and how long relatives travelling from elsewhere need to arrive. A mortuary cold store allows the wake to be extended when necessary.
The wake can be held at home, in a room prepared for the purpose, or at a funeral chapel. Each option has its advantages:
| Location | What sets it apart |
|---|---|
| At home | Intimate and personal, in keeping with the family's own tradition; requires space and transforms the home for several days |
| At a funeral chapel | Practical, with room for many visitors, without transforming the home |
| At the cemetery chapel | Close to the burial site |
Preparations follow tradition and are arranged for the comfort of those keeping watch:
The wake follows customs preserved by tradition. Psalms or prayers are read, candles are kept burning, and a calm atmosphere of quiet reflection is maintained.
Visitors bring flowers and candles, bow before the casket, and offer condolences to the family. Noise and levity are avoided; the wake remains a sober occasion.
We prepare everything that the wake requires, so the family can focus on grieving:
A home wake preserves tradition and is more personal, but requires space and transforms the home for several days. A chapel is more practical when many visitors are expected.
We advise on what fits your situation — family size, expected number of visitors, and available space. See also hiring a chapel.
Tell us where you want the wake and which traditions to observe, and we prepare everything — casket, chapel, candles, flowers, and the refreshment table.
We answer day and night. For a no-obligation conversation, call us or see our page on full ceremony arrangements.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
A wake (or vigil) is the keeping of watch over the deceased in the night before the funeral, beside the open casket with candles lit. Family and friends come to pray and say goodbye.
Usually one or two nights, between the death and the funeral. In many Romanian villages the deceased stays at home until the third day. The length depends on local custom and how long relatives travelling from elsewhere need.
It comes from “a priveghea”, to keep watch, which goes back to the Latin “pervigilare”. The dictionary defines it as watching over the deceased at night, before the burial — in English, a wake or vigil.
It is a short prayer held by the priest beside the casket, usually in the evening. The length depends on local practice and on how many Gospel passages are read. Ask the priest when you arrange it.
Do not leave the deceased alone, joke, laugh loudly, smoke, or drink heavily near the casket. Take photographs only with the family's consent.
Simple, dark clothing: black, navy, or grey. Avoid bright colours and eye-catching accessories.
At home, at a funeral chapel, or at the cemetery chapel. Home is more personal; a chapel is more practical when many visitors are expected.
The casket with the deceased laid out, candles at each corner, a vigil lamp, an icon, a veil, flowers, and seating. On request, a table with bread rolls, boiled wheat, and drinks for visitors.
Candles symbolise light and prayer for the deceased. They are lit at each of the four corners of the casket and kept burning throughout the vigil.
Tradition holds that the deceased should not be left alone. The family takes turns through the night, reading prayers and keeping the candles burning.
Usually the Psalms or prayer books. At some wakes the priest comes for a short prayer service; otherwise a family member or a reader leads.
A candle and, if you wish, flowers — by custom, in an even number. In some regions, close friends leave the family an envelope with money for costs, or a gift for distribution to the poor (pomană). Visitors bow before the casket and offer condolences to the family.
By tradition, yes. A table is laid with bread rolls, boiled wheat, coffee, and drinks for those keeping watch and for visitors. In some regions pomană is already given at the wake; what is served varies by region. The atmosphere remains sober.
It depends on available space and expected visitors. Home is more personal; a chapel is more practical and does not transform the family home. We advise on what fits.
It depends on the location (home or chapel), the duration, and what is included — flowers, refreshment table, accessories. We give a clear quote in advance, with no hidden costs.
Yes. A wake before cremation follows the same arrangements as before a burial. The tradition of keeping vigil is the same, whichever option is chosen.
It depends on the number of visitors. A typical chapel holds several dozen people. We help you choose a chapel suited to the number you expect.
We do. We lay out the deceased, position the casket on its stand, light the candles, and arrange the flowers, icon, and veil according to tradition.
Yes. A single night's wake is common when the funeral takes place the next day. The length is decided by the family, in keeping with custom and scheduling.
We prepare the casket, chapel, candles, flowers, and refreshment table, and coordinate with the priest. The family tells us what they want; we take care of the rest.
In many regions, yes. Covering mirrors is a custom observed during the mourning period. The practice varies from one region to another.
The family chooses the outfit — usually sober and neat: a suit or a dress. We dress the deceased in the chosen clothes during the preparation.
A wake is open — family, neighbours, colleagues, and friends are all welcome. Visitors bow before the casket, light a candle, and offer condolences.
Usually a short while — they come, bow, light a candle, and spend a few minutes with the family. Those closest may stay longer, especially overnight for the vigil.
In the evening, the priest may come for a short prayer service (sometimes called stâlpi in some regions). At other times, a family member or a reader reads from the Psalms.
Not usually. A wake is a time of quiet reflection and mourning, not an occasion for photographs. Tradition calls for discretion and respect.
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