After a death, the family will hold a wake for up to seven days in honor of their loved one. The person who died will be placed in a coffin and either kept at home or transported to a funeral home. The coffin is elaborately adorned with flowers and lights, and family and friends are encouraged to sign a guest book. Those who visit may offer financial donations to help with funeral and burial costs. Food plays a significant role in the wake, as the family prepares or caters meals each evening for those who gather to pay respects.
Death is a significant event in Filipino culture, and it’s not unusual for large numbers of people to show up and pay their respects. Because of their beliefs, many Filipinos don’t view death as the end of life. This is reflected in a hope-filled tone during services, alongside the mourning and weeping.
The funeral itself is resonant of a typical Catholic service, complete with hymns, prayers, and Scripture readings. There tends to be a large turnout for Filipino funerals, as loved ones make it a priority to attend.
In the nine days following the funeral, Filipinos of the Catholic faith will pray the rosary, believing their loved one’s soul is leaving this world and moving on into the afterlife. They will pray the rosary again 40 days after the death, and again on the one-year anniversary of the death.
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