Wake Planning
Plan a Wake
Coordinate visitation hours, guest communication, refreshments, and family responsibilities before the funeral. Keep updates, schedules, and practical details organized while friends and relatives gather to pay their respects.
Organize the Wake Step by Step
Wakes are planned quickly and often involve several family members, friends, and funeral professionals. Keep responsibilities, schedules, and guest communication organized from the first phone call to the final guest arrival.
- 01
Confirm the Wake Format
Decide where the wake will be held, whether the deceased will be present, and how long visitation hours should last.
- 02
Coordinate With the Funeral Home
Align timing, transportation, viewing arrangements, and any religious or cultural traditions tied to the wake.
- 03
Build the Guest List
Gather family contacts, close friends, coworkers, neighbours, and community members who should receive updates.
- 04
Share Invitations and Updates
Send wake details, visitation hours, parking information, and schedule changes from one shared event page.
- 05
Organize Food and Hosting
Coordinate refreshments, seating, flowers, guest flow, and responsibilities across family members or helpers.
Keep Wake Planning Structured During a Difficult Week
Handle guest communication, shared tasks, and last-minute updates without relying on scattered texts, calls, or handwritten notes.
Guide
Quick Facts About Planning a Wake
Wakes are often organized within days and involve fast coordination across family, guests, funeral homes, and venues. These are some of the practical details most families need to organize.
- Most wakes happen before the funeral
- In the US, wakes are commonly held one or two days before the funeral service.
- Many wakes take place at funeral homes
- Some families also host wakes at churches, family homes, or community venues.
- Guest lists are often broader than funerals
- Friends, coworkers, neighbours, and extended family may attend the wake even if they do not attend the funeral.
- Food and refreshments are commonly served
- Many wakes include coffee, light meals, snacks, or catered food for visiting guests.
- Guests often arrive throughout the day
- Wakes usually follow open visitation hours rather than a single fixed start time.
- Families often need fast communication
- Schedule updates, location details, and visitation hours may change with short notice.
Plan the Wake Around the People Attending
Wakes often bring together family, friends, coworkers, neighbours, and community members. Use the plan to manage who needs information, who helps with tasks, and what guests need before they arrive.
Collect names, contact details, and groups of people who should receive wake information.
Share when guests can arrive, how long the wake runs, and whether there are private family moments.
Add funeral home, church, home, parking, entrance, and accessibility information in one place.
Give relatives or close friends clear tasks for flowers, food, guest books, photos, or hosting.
Keep guests informed if the time, location, or schedule changes before the wake.
Coordinate the Details Before Guests Arrive
Keep visitation schedules, guest communication, shared tasks, and practical details organized while family and friends prepare for the wake.
Wake Planning Timeline
Most wakes are organized within a few days. Clear communication and shared responsibilities help families coordinate guests, visitation hours, and practical details under a short timeline.
Confirm the funeral home, visitation format, timing, and whether the deceased will be present during the wake.
Build the guest list and share visitation hours, addresses, parking details, and schedule information.
Coordinate refreshments, flowers, seating, guest books, photos, and any religious or cultural traditions.
Review responsibilities with family members, helpers, funeral staff, and anyone handling guest arrival or hosting.
Use the shared event page to handle updates, directions, guest communication, and last-minute coordination.
Related Events and Gatherings
Plan the funeral ceremony, guest coordination, timing, and practical details surrounding the service itself.
Organize a more personal gathering focused on memories, speeches, food, and time with family and friends.
Coordinate a remembrance event held without the deceased present, either instead of or after the funeral.