Even better than a reunion, a wake is the best, most effective way of gathering family members – including those you didn’t know exist.
Philippines funeral services consist of more than mourning. There are gambling, music, prayers, and the never-dying family gossip.
So the next time somebody passes on, don’t fret. Make friends. Rekindle familial relationships. It’s the new family reunion.
[/bitter]
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Very true. When my uncle died, people I didn’t know showed up and I didn’t even know they were my relatives till then.
The days of mourning was enjoyable because I got to spend more time with the relatives and became closer to some.
It might sound disrespectful but I’d like to think that the departed would prefer (if there’s an afterlife) that something good would come from the wakes instead of just weeping and wailing.
…I hope I don’t come of sounding too heartless.
My condolences, Anna. *hug*
It just happened to me. Went all the way to Bicol just for– not really a wake, but– a death anniversary of my uncle. Lots of elatives I never knew existed. And lots of kids to make the Church take back what they said about family planning.