The Wake

The wake served as a safeguard from burying someone who was not dead, but in a coma. 

Most wakes also lasted 3-4 days to allow relatives to arrive from far away. 

The use of flowers and candles helped to mask unpleasant odors in the room before embalming became common. 

In 19th century Europe and America the dead were carried out of the house feet first, in order to prevent the spirit from looking back into the house and beckoning another member of the family to follow him.

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