"Embracing Irish-style Wakes: A Public and Open Approach to Grieving"
Irish-style wakes, which involve open caskets, community involvement, singing songs, and sharing stories, may help people cope better with bereavement and lower rates of prolonged grief disorder (PGD) compared to traditional UK funerals. A study found that about 10.9% of bereaved Irish people met the criteria for PGD, compared to 15% in the UK, suggesting cultural differences around death may contribute to the disparity. Irish wakes are seen as more communal events, providing a greater sense of community support, while UK funerals are often regarded as private affairs.