Why is it called a wake when someone dies?

Answer 1

It is called a wake because a long time ago, people believed that you could bring the dead back to life, and by having a gathering after they die, you could wake them from the dead. Hence, now they call it a wake.

ANSWER

The above is from earliest human history. However, "a wake" was started because of the fear humans who appeared dead could be alive AND wake up buried alive. The primary reason for this fear was that at the time they did not use embalming fluids. A wake was held 3 days up to a week and since there were no funeral homes, the wake was held at the person's last residence or at a family member's home. During that time, if dead, the person's body would begin to emit odors from decomposing gasses in the body tissues. Hence, they placed flower bouquets around the casket to mask the terrific odor-- this is where the tradition began of sending flowers to funerals, though by then, undertakers began to embalm bodies so the odor was minimal. During the wake, one or more family members kept watch day and night for any signs of life-- movement, awakening, speech. The primary reason today's funeral viewings are scheduled for 3 to 4 days is that was the amount of time families could tolerate the odor of decomposition in their homes--this 3-4 day funeral viewing period became a tradition for at least a century. Now, funerals range from immediate burial to at least 2 days of viewing first.

It's important to note, too, that many families in history did not do well emotionally after having a dead loved one lie in a coffin in the family sitting room, e.g. the living room. At the time, cabinet and furniture makers made coffins as a side business. Families began to request that the Carpenter -Cabinet Maker hold the viewing in the furniture storeroom. Thus, communities saw businesses called Undertaker and Cabinet Maker. Many funerals were then held at the Undertaker's business location. Over time, Cabinet Making split from Coffin Making. Men devoted all their time to being the town Undertaker... usually 1 to 3 businesses in any given town. Over time, Undertaker businesses led to "Funeral Homes". Much later, a "Funeral Home" became a "Mortuary". Now, men and women study Mortuary Science, a long way from the simple Undertakers in our pasts. Most States have Laws that ALL bodies must be embalmed, especially if the body is transported over State lines for burial. (In the 1800s, families could ship an unembalmed and unattended body by train through numerous States to return the body to a location for burial.) Some funeral homes today DO allow non-embalmed bodies and even the "plain pine box" for burial but you must check with the individual funeral home for State Laws.

Answer 2

someone was once pronounced dead after consuming lots of alcohol,the person came to a couple of days later,people involved decided in future if anybody appeared to have died they would wait some time before doing anything about it,they would gather and have a drink and a bite to eat,whilst waiting to see if their loved one would wake

Answer 3

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cuise hes lazy