Jehovahs Witness please: When a person dies do you have wakes? do you have a speaker at the wake?

Answer 1

There are no particular rituals involved in Jehovah's Witness funerals, cremations, or burials. All specifics are decided by the family of the deceased, or the deceased himself by means of will. In communities where wakes are common, they are also common among Jehovah's Witnesses.

Generally, a ten- to twenty-minute bible-based talk is delivered by a congregation elder or family member at a funeral home, Kingdom Hall, or other dignified location. The deceased is not eulogized, but is remembered. Prayers are offered. At the graveside, a few bible passages may be read and another prayer offered.

Of course, Jehovah's Witness funerals are not as depressed as those with no hope.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13) Moreover, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping in death; that you may not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20050501/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050101a/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050815/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_07.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm

Answer 2

We call it a Memorial Service, though.

Answer 3

Really it is up to the wishes of the diseased and their family/representative.

Answer 4

Yes and yes.