How to organize a wake?

A wake, also known as a consolation, is a party organized after the funeral ceremony by the closest family of the deceased. In Polish tradition, this ceremony is deeply rooted and has a significant meaning. It is an element of mourning through a joint commemoration and expression of sadness for the person who has passed away. It is also a form of showing gratitude to all participants of the funeral. So what is the best way to organize a wake? You will find the answer to this question in our article.

Where to organize a wake?

Most often, the consolation is prepared at home or in a rented place, e.g. a restaurant or banquet hall. The choice of the right option depends mainly on the number of guests and the nature of the meeting that we want to organize. If we are expecting few people, then in this situation, a better solution will be to prepare an intimate refreshment in the comfort of your home. A reception in this style is conducive to honest conversations, when in a peaceful atmosphere you can remember the deceased person and share your experience of mourning. On the other hand, if we are expecting a larger number of guests, it is worth deciding on a venue. Currently, this option is the most popular. A banquet hall or restaurant can accommodate many people, and in addition, such a variant of the wake allows you to relieve yourself of a significant part of the organizational matters, which is very valuable in such unpleasant circumstances.

When and who to invite to the wake?

Traditionally, the wake is held immediately after the funeral ceremonies at the cemetery. Most often, during the laying of flowers, a family representative or another designated person publicly thanks those present for coming and invites them for refreshments. These are usually family members, closest friends, sometimes also neighbors and co-workers. You can also decide on a less open form of reception and notify selected people individually - in this case, it is best to do it in advance, especially if someone is traveling from a distance. It is also worth considering organizing transport to the place of consolation, because there may be people, mainly older people, who do not have their own cars.

Is a wake mandatory?

A wake is a sad ceremony, so it is good to remember that both its organization and attendance are not mandatory. If we feel like spending time alone or only with our loved ones after the funeral, this will be the best choice for us. On the other hand, participating in the consolation can be therapeutic. It is an opportunity to talk about the person who has passed away, to recall various interesting stories related to them. Many of these stories can be funny, delightful, or moving. Sharing memories in this way helps in the experience of grief. It also allows for relaxation, which makes the emotions and stress related to organizing a funeral are falling. For these reasons, it is worth preparing a party after the funeral.

What menu and sweet treats for the wake?

During the ceremony, traditional Polish dishes are usually served, such as: broth, żurek, pork chop, bigos or =>dumplings. However, when setting the menu, it is good to take into account the needs and preferences of all Guests, including possible diets and food intolerances. In addition to hot dishes, you can also serve cold snacks and necessarily sweet delicacies. Traditional ones will work best =>homemade cakes, namely: cheesecakes, poppy seed cakes, apple pies, shortcrust pastries with seasonal fruit – eagerly eaten by both the older and younger generations. All of these products can be found in the assortment of Jacek Placek Confectionery. We offer a wide selection of baked goods, which we have been preparing for years according to the family recipes of the founders of our company. We are ready to fulfill orders "at the last minute", which often happens when organizing a wake. At the request of our customers, we also deliver cakes to the location. We cordially invite you!