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The difference between a funeral home and a wake: a complete funeral guide

16 January 2025

Many people use the terms wake and funeral home interchangeably, but they are not the same concept. Today at Áltima we explain the difference between a funeral home and a wake.

What is a funeral home and what services does it offer?

A funeral home is a funeral facility where the necessary services for the final farewell of a deceased person are carried out.

The main purpose of a funeral home is to accompany the family and keep vigil over their deceased loved one, offering the appropriate space to gather and pay tribute to them.

Funeral homes are specialised centres with facilities that include:

Wake room: a space equipped to say goodbye to the deceased.
Chapel or multi-faith room: for religious or civil farewell ceremonies.
Florist's: for relatives, friends and loved ones to order flowers.
Cafeteria or restaurant
Support services: to receive funeral advice, deal with legal formalities and cover other needs.

Advantages of holding a funeral service in a funeral home

Many people choose to have the burning chapel of their loved ones' funeral in a funeral home in order to give them a dignified and respectful farewell. In Spain it is also possible to hold a wake at home, but the funeral home offers certain advantages:

It provides privacy for family members, as most funeral homes have private rooms to offer them peace of mind.
It has specialised staff to prepare your loved one and to attend to family members.
It is safer than a wake at home, as measures are taken to minimise public health risks.
Staff can offer a personalised service to provide emotional support to the family during the bereavement process.
Facilities are modern and comfortable, providing a welcoming environment for relatives, as well as additional services (catering, ceremonies, etc).
Services for managing legal and administrative arrangements, as well as legal advice are offered to families to ease their burden at this difficult time.

What is a wake and what does it involve?

A wake is a term with two different connotations in Spain: on the one hand, it refers to the act of holding a wake and, on the other, it refers to the place where a wake takes place. We will use this second meaning to explain the difference between a wake and a funeral home.

The wake room is where a wake is held for a loved one. This is where the body of the deceased is displayed so that family, friends and relatives can say goodbye to the deceased.

Although they can be located in different places, such as hospitals or other public venues, the wake room is usually found in a funeral home. It can also be at home, although we have already seen that this does not offer the same advantages.

Key differences between funeral homes and wake rooms

To understand the difference between a funeral home and a wake room, we need to look at different aspects of each option:

Location. The funeral home is a specific place, located in a particular place, designed to offer funeral services, while the wake room can be in different locations (home, hospital, residence, funeral home, etc).
Services. Funeral homes are equipped with specific facilities and services for funeral send-offs, while the basic service of the wake room is usually limited to the wake, although some facilities may offer the celebration of a farewell ceremony.
Organisation. The funeral home aims to provide families with adequate space and support services for family members, while the wake room focuses on displaying the deceased so that those close can say goodbye.

We can also distinguish between a funeral home and a funeral organisation, since in the latter case we are referring to the company that takes care of all the aspects related to the death of our loved one, while the funeral home is a physical place.

Is it necessary to hold the wake in a funeral home?

It is not strictly necessary to hold the wake of a loved one in a funeral home. In Spain it is even permitted to do so at home, but it is always advisable to hold the wake in a funeral home because such facilities comply with a series of specific health requirements that allow them to satisfy the different state and local funeral regulations.

It is true that wake rooms in places such as hospitals or care homes have the approval of the health authorities, but funeral homes also comply with certain requirements such as:

Being located in buildings exclusively for funeral use.
Staff and equipment available for funeral services.
Facilities for transit, storage, treatment and display.
Toilets and separate rooms for family members.
Adequate air-conditioning for the display of deceased persons.

These are just some of the requirements that funeral homes comply with and which enable funeral wakes to be held in suitable conditions that meet health and safety standards, as well as offering numerous advantages, such as those we have seen in previous sections.

When should you choose a funeral home and when should you choose a wake room?

Now that you know the difference between a funeral home and a wake room, you should be able to make a decision about these funeral services.

Family preferences, customs and traditions all play an important role in this decision. Other aspects must also be taken into account, such as comfort, ease of access for those close to you who wish to say goodbye to your loved one, the chance of having specialised staff to attend and advise you when you need it, and the opportunity to customise the funeral services associated with each option.

For many families the budget is also important. All of the information in this article will help you to make a decision between a funeral home or a wake room when the time comes.