Wake (9 days) - the next mandatory stage after the burial. Although it originated in the Christian religion, everyone adheres to this tradition. So how to hold a wake for 9 days? What are the features of the ritual?
Memorial service
If the deceased was a Christian, then you must go to the temple. It is considered that
at this time, the soul can still visit its earthly habitat. She completes the work that a person did not have time to carry out during his lifetime. Says goodbye to someone, apologizes to someone. A prayer service held at that time according to all church traditions helps to calm the soul, its union with God.
It is advisable that the commemoration (9 days) and relatives begin by addressing the Lord. In a short prayer, you should ask the Almighty for forgiveness of all the sins of the deceased, placing him in the kingdom of heaven. It has always been part of the rite. Candles are lit in the temple for the mention of the soul. There is a special place for this. If you do not know, then consult with the temple attendant. But usually you can determine it yourself. The platform for the funeral candles is rectangular (all the others are round). Nearby is a printed prayer text. Do not be lazy, read it.
What do 9 days commemoration mean?
In Christianity, the path of the soul to the Lord is described in sufficient detail. So, the first days of the Angels show her what life is in Paradise. The ninth is the time, so to speak, of the exam. The soul appears before the Lord, who determines its future fate. It is believed that sinners are afraid and tormented, finally realizing how mediocre they are
spent their strength. The righteous can also suffer from ignorance whether their life path will be approved by the Lord. Helping the soul of the deceased is extremely necessary during this period. Relatives with their prayers can help her clear herself and get a “pass” to Paradise.
In Christian traditions, commemorations of 9 days are considered very important, since this is the last duty, the final stage of the earthly existence of the soul. After the Lord places her in Paradise or Hell, the living can hardly help her. The priests say that 9 days is almost a holiday! Since at this time the soul finds its shelter. It is imperative to pray so that her stay in that world is comfortable.
Funeral dinner
Service in the church, a trip to the cemetery - this is mainly for the closest. And those who want to express their respect to the deceased and his family members are invited to a memorial dinner. Spend it modestly. Prepare the first, second and compote. AT
Christianity does not accept all sorts of snacks and salads, or alcohol. Traditions with one hundred grams and a slice of bread arose in very difficult times, when there was no other way to relieve stress. Now there is no need to drink alcohol at the wake, and the
church does not welcome this.
Of the "excesses" only baking is permissible. So, usually make pies or rolls and serve. Everything should be calm and modest. This is not an indicator of poverty. Rather, this demonstrates the recognition of the perishability of everything physical to the spiritual. At the table, everyone is given the floor to express their sorrow, to share the belief that the soul will go to Paradise, just to remember the person who recently left this world.
Funeral feast
But now far from everyone arranges lunch. Some do not have enough time, others do not want unnecessary trouble. The church does not insist on strict adherence to this particular tradition.
A joint meal is quite permissible to replace with refreshments. What it is? It is necessary to prepare such food, which is appropriate and convenient to treat people without an invitation to the house, and so spend a funeral for 9 days. What are they distributing? Usually cookies and sweets. The easiest option is to buy what you need at the store. It is recommended to bake pies or cookies yourself. It is believed that by such actions you express greater reverence for the deceased. You can distribute the cooked at work, in the yard to grandmothers and children.
And how to calculate the right time?
People are often confused with this. It is best to turn to the priest, who funeral for the deceased. He will help to deal with the deadlines, tell you what day to celebrate. Due to the importance for the soul, you need to know exactly when to conduct the 9-day commemoration. How to count yourself? The first is considered the day when a person died. From him and you need to count. The soul from the moment of death begins its journey through the Kingdom of Angels. She needed help on the ninth day (and before that). Do not miss any deadlines, even if death occurred before midnight. The first day is the date of death. Important then are the third, ninth and fortieth day. You need to calculate them immediately and write down so as not to forget. These are the dates that must be noted.
Who is invited to the wake
Family members and friends are those people who must participate in a sad meal. They themselves know this. Souls demand to meet and support
each other in grief. But the commemoration of 9 days after death is such an event, which is attended without invitation. It is unacceptable to drive away the one who wanted to take part in it, even if they are completely strangers. The logic is this: the more people begin to pray for the salvation of the soul of the deceased, the easier it is for her to go to Paradise. Therefore, to expel someone is unacceptable, even sinful.
Try to treat as many people as possible. And if you don’t have to invite everyone to a funeral dinner, then you can distribute sweets to everyone you meet on this day. Strictly speaking, it is not accepted to invite to the event. People themselves should ask when it will take place (and in general, whether it is planned or not). For convenience, the organizers most often take responsibility themselves and ring up all those who have shown a desire to remember the deceased.
Is it obligatory to go to the cemetery
Strictly speaking, a 9-day wake does not include such a trip on the list of indispensable events. The church believes that mortal remains are resting on the graveyard, which do not have much significance. Welcome to the temple, prayers. But usually people themselves want to visit the place of the last shelter of an expensive person. They bring flowers and sweets there. Thereby, as it were, a tribute is paid to the deceased. But this is more important for
alive than for the deceased.
In no case should you bring alcohol to the cemetery. This is strictly forbidden by the Church! If you decide that you definitely need to visit the cemetery that day, then take care of the appropriate clothing. Outfits should be modest, not flashy. The presence of mourning symbols is also desirable. Women tie mourning scarves. Men can wear dark jackets. If it's hot, then black scarves are tied to the left forearm.
How to prepare a house for a funeral party?
On this day, light bulbs are lit, a photograph of the deceased with a mourning ribbon is prominently displayed. Mirrors are no longer worth closing. This is done only while the body is in the house. Naturally, on this day it is not customary to turn on music, watch funny films and programs.
In front of the icon, you can put a glass of water and bread as a sign of help to the soul, who is on a pilgrimage through the yet unknown world. It is desirable that the atmosphere of severity reigned in the house. If you invited people to dinner, then worry about their amenities. Carpets are usually removed from the floor so that you can walk around the house in shoes. It is also necessary to put a small vase or plate near the photograph of the deceased. They will put money there. This is done when a lot of people come, including outsiders for the household. They may express a desire to donate a certain amount to the monument. And giving money to relatives is not always convenient.