An Irish funeral often centers around the "wake" (Irish: tórramh or faire), a gathering before burial where family and friends keep watch over the deceased, traditionally at home, sharing stories, music, food, and drink to celebrate life and mourn together, blending solemnity with lively remembrance. While the wake is a key tradition, the entire event leading to burial or cremation is generally referred to as the funeral service or ceremony, incorporating prayers, eulogies, and music.
Irish funerals are predominantly Catholic, and the service typically takes place in a church. A priest will officiate, leading prayers and readings from scripture. Hymns play a central role in the service, offering comfort and inspiration.
After a funeral service, many Irish families gather for what is known as 'the wake meal. ' This meal usually consists of traditional dishes such as roast beef, potatoes, eggs, tea/coffee, etc., all served at the home of close relatives or someone close to the deceased.
Keening (Irish: caoineadh, pronounced [ˈkiːnʲə]) is a traditional form of vocal lament for the dead in the Gaelic Celtic tradition, known to have taken place in Ireland and Scotland.
After the funeral, it is common for people to gather for refreshments, which is sometimes called a ``wake''. This is slightly different to the Irish tradition of wakes, which is a gathering that takes place before the funeral. The refreshments are often held at someone's house or a hired community room.
“Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”
A wake, also known as a funeral reception, is an event where close friends and family of the deceased gather together to pay their respects to their loved one. Traditionally, a wake referred to the viewing held before the funeral, but nowadays it's usually held after the funeral or memorial service.
A phrase that you will see on Irish tombstones is “Suaimhneas Síoraí Air” or “Go Raibh Suaimhneas Síoraí Air” — “Eternal Rest be Upon Him” (apply correct pronoun as required). This is the closest you can get in Irish to a direct translation of “Rest in Peace.”
How to say "Goodbye!" in Irish. When wishing someone goodbye, we often say “Slán go fóill”. Here, “slán” means “goodbye” and “go fóill” means “for now”.
Irish poem about death
When your time comes, may you be given every blessing and shelter that you need. May there be a beautiful welcome for you in the home that you are going to. You are not going somewhere strange. You are going back to the home that you never left.
Irish condolences are deeply rooted in tradition, faith, and respect. Phrases such as “Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam”—meaning “May he rest in peace”—are among the most familiar expressions, with variations for gender and number, and optional words like uasal (noble) or dílis (faithful) to convey added warmth and esteem.
Traditionally, a room is prepared and the deceased remains are usually placed near an open window. This is because the Irish believe this will let the spirit peacefully leave the house.
An unorthodox Irish wake from many years ago.
It is widely believed that the Irish Wake was heavily influenced by elements of Paganism and may have originated with the Ancient Celts. The Celts believed in life after death and thought that when a person died, they then moved onto a better life.
Some still follow other traditional practices such as stopping all clocks at the time of death and covering mirrors, a superstition believed to keep the dead from getting trapped in a house. Offering food and refreshment after paying respects remains a common practice.
If you are attending an Irish wake, there are a few things you may want to bring with you. Most people bring flowers or food to contribute to the wake. It is also common for guests to write personal messages in the guest book or make charitable donations in the name of the deceased.
The general mourning period is three days following the death. Most families will stay together in a family home and receive guests- friends and more distant family coming to express condolences and offer prayers on behalf of the deceased and family.
Common greetings include “Howaya?”, "What's the craic?" and "How's she cuttin'?" “Grand” is a word you will hear a lot in Ireland and means fine or okay. Irish people love slagging.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, And the rains fall soft upon your fields. And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
The Irish language is sometimes referred to as “Gaeilge” (pronounced Gwal-gah), but it is not Gaelic; Gaelige is the name of the Irish language in Irish. Like its Gaelic cousin, both are Indo-European languages, but Irish is actually a language unto its own.
🌟 ☘️ Irish Blessing ☘️ 🌟 Always remember to forget The things that made you sad. But never forget to remember The things that made you glad. Always remember to forget The friends that proved untrue. But never forget to remember Those that have stuck by you.
Here are some of the most well-known and meaningful Irish Gaelic blessings for the dead:
The Irish wake differs from most Western funerals. Standard funerals usually last a few hours, follow a set order of service, and involve only close relatives and friends. By contrast, a wake stretches over one or more nights, with an open door for neighbors, acquaintances, and distant kin.
On the eleventh day after death there is a ceremony called swama lhuyegu , the "washing away of sorrow." Males of the household and of the phuki go to the river, where the kriya putra offers a single pinda [*] made of wheat flour, to which other substances are added, to the dead person.
Cultures in the United States now rarely use the term “repast” to discuss a meal eaten with others. However, “repast” can be another term for the meal planned after a funeral or memorial service.