A Sicilian funeral (repeating details)
Sicilian funeral traditions often involve a vigil with the body at home, open caskets, and a community-wide response of support and food.
Following the wake, a funeral Mass takes place, and after burial, families maintain graves, often visiting them on specific holidays.
Mourning customs, such as wearing black, are also prominent, especially for widows and close relatives.
Before the funeral
Vigil at home: The body is typically brought back to the family home for a vigil, often lasting 24 hours or more.
Open casket: The coffin is often open so family and friends can pay their final respects and comfort the grieving family.
Open doors and windows: Doors and windows are traditionally left open to allow the soul to leave the house freely.
Community support: Friends and neighbors provide food for the family to ease the burden of daily life.
Death notices: Notices are posted outside the family home and church to announce the death.
The funeral
Funeral Mass: A funeral Mass is held at the church.
Procession: A procession to the church or cemetery is common, with mourners often walking behind the coffin.
Flowers: Flowers are a significant part of the service and are often used to decorate the church and the coffin.
Burial: While burials are declining in Italy due to space limitations, they still occur. In cemeteries, graves may be in mausoleums.
After the funeral
Mourning attire: Mourners typically wear black.
Extended mourning: Widows may wear black for the rest of their lives, while adult children traditionally wear it for a year.
Cemetery visits: Families visit the gravesites to clean them, place new flowers, and light candles.
The Day of the Dead: November 2nd is a day to honour the deceased, with families going to the cemetery and celebrating with a picnic and special treats, though it is not seen as a sad occasion.
Following the wake, a funeral Mass takes place, and after burial, families maintain graves, often visiting them on specific holidays.
Mourning customs, such as wearing black, are also prominent, especially for widows and close relatives.
Before the funeral
Vigil at home: The body is typically brought back to the family home for a vigil, often lasting 24 hours or more.
Open casket: The coffin is often open so family and friends can pay their final respects and comfort the grieving family.
Open doors and windows: Doors and windows are traditionally left open to allow the soul to leave the house freely.
Community support: Friends and neighbors provide food for the family to ease the burden of daily life.
Death notices: Notices are posted outside the family home and church to announce the death.
The funeral
Funeral Mass: A funeral Mass is held at the church.
Procession: A procession to the church or cemetery is common, with mourners often walking behind the coffin.
Flowers: Flowers are a significant part of the service and are often used to decorate the church and the coffin.
Burial: While burials are declining in Italy due to space limitations, they still occur. In cemeteries, graves may be in mausoleums.
After the funeral
Mourning attire: Mourners typically wear black.
Extended mourning: Widows may wear black for the rest of their lives, while adult children traditionally wear it for a year.
Cemetery visits: Families visit the gravesites to clean them, place new flowers, and light candles.
The Day of the Dead: November 2nd is a day to honour the deceased, with families going to the cemetery and celebrating with a picnic and special treats, though it is not seen as a sad occasion.
26-30, F
