Family Visitation & Viewing

A visitation — sometimes called a viewing or a wake — gives family and friends unhurried time together before the funeral service. It is often the moment when people find comfort in one another's company, share stories, and begin to accept a loss that can still feel unreal.

A visitation — sometimes called a viewing or a wake — gives family and friends unhurried time together before the funeral service. It is often the moment when people find comfort in one another's company, share stories, and begin to accept a loss that can still feel unreal.

What a Visitation Looks Like

A visitation is usually held in our chapel during the day or evening before the funeral, though it can also take place immediately before the service. Guests arrive and leave as their schedules allow. The casket may be open or closed, according to your family's wishes. Photographs, flowers, and mementos are often displayed nearby, and a guest book gives visitors a place to leave a note for the family.

Making the Time Your Own

Some families keep a visitation quiet and reflective; others fill the room with music and conversation. Prayers, a rosary, or a short devotional service may be included. You may wish to set out a memory table, play a slideshow, or invite guests to write a message to be kept by the family. Our staff will be present throughout to welcome guests and take care of the details.

Why Families Value This Time

A funeral service moves through a planned order. A visitation does not, and that openness is what many families remember most. It gives people the space to grieve in their own way, to speak with those who knew your loved one best, and to offer support that is hard to put into words at a formal service.

Private or Extended Family Visitation

If you would prefer that only immediate family be present, we can arrange a private visitation before guests arrive, or reserve a separate time entirely. If relatives are traveling from another state or country, tell us their arrival plans and we will schedule accordingly.