Do most filipinos still hold wakes in their homes for their departed loved ones?

Question

I remember as a child going to some of those. They were actually pretty fun for the living (fun might be the wrong word). They lasted for days and nights. There were crying, singing, gambling, eating, getting drunk and getting into drunken fights; drinking lots of coffee and a lot of sitting around, chatting with families and neighbors. They were true community events I thought.

Answer 1

yes, we still have those.
some families refrigerate their love ones(as in refrigerated macoy) hoping that in the near future a spot in the libingan ng mga bayani will be available.

Answer 2

It's still the custom of people here in our place. Some hold wakes at their home, while some who can afford or some who have not enough space at home do it in the funeral parlors (homes).
It usually lasts 7 days to 9 days to give enough time for relatives (brothers and sisters) who are in far places to come before burial day. Wake prayers also last 9 days. It usually becomes a family reunion (in our case). We got to see each other and other relatives only when one of us join our Creator.
Some who have less relatives, allow madjong, liquour aside from the usual coffee and biscuits at night just so they have other people keeping vigil.
There's nothing wrong about it. It's the custom.

Answer 3

I think some people still hold wakes in their homes but the reality is....some are for "gambling and to collect "tong" purposes only", to augment for the expenses in the funeral. But, in the provinces, I think some hold the traditions. and, for sure gambling is a must.
As time goes on people, customes and traditions are becoming a thing of the past.

Answer 4

yes, we do. my maternal grandmother died in august 2006 and we had a wake that lasted for 1 week.. and just last saturday, my grandfather's eldest sister died and a wake is still on going as of this writing. i think it's the filipinos' way of remembering them before they bury them.. and a good time for reunions. i dont remember drinking sessions though.. even when i was a kid.. but the gambling still goes on and the chatting till morning..

Answer 5

I agree that it is no longer being practiced as cost for long wakes are terribly expensive even if you held it at home.

Funeral homes are much more preferred less cost, less stress to accommodate people and even strangers who just came in to just "usi" -- the "who's who", the detailed account of the cause of death, the dramatic accounts and superstitous details that happened among the family........and to eat there of course.

Weird, but I think, Filipinos liked it! It's only here in the Philippines that we held such festive mood at cemeteries come November.

Answer 6

It's practiced a lot less in urban areas, mainly because of the costs of hosting the event at your home and the convenience of funeral homes. But in most rural areas, holding a wake at home is still common practice.

Answer 7

In my family we usually do, unless the house is too small to accomodate all the guests. Then we will either rent out a baranguay hall or a resturant.

Answer 8

yes of course. we just had one this last Xmas. someone was going to midnight mass and Had a heart attract on the way to church. and we had the wake rigth around Xmas for 5 days the funeral parlor was too small.

Answer 9

DUHR! I bet when Ninoy died CoryKong gambled! LOL! Mah Jong anyone?

Answer 10

It is not as widely practiced.

Now more residents hold wakes in the funeral home (or, as is commonly called here: funeral parlor).