atayan

Atayan is a Filipino term referring to the vigil observed beside a deceased person in the days following death. Commonly associated with the lamay or wake, atayan denotes the period during which family, friends, and the local community stay with the body, offer prayers, and reminisce about the deceased. The practice serves as an expression of respect and a communal space for grieving.

Location and duration: Wakes are typically held at the home of the deceased or at a funeral home and may last from a day to several days, depending on regional custom and family arrangements. Visitors come to pay respects, bring food, and share memories; prayers such as the rosary or other devotional observances are common.

Ritual elements: The body is prepared for viewing, often laid in state in a casket; family members may give eulogies, light candles, and recite prayers. The atayan culminates with a funeral rite and burial or cremation, after which the bereaved begin the process of return to daily life.

Variations exist across regions and religious affiliations. In predominantly Catholic communities, devotions like the rosary and novena are integrated; in others, indigenous or regional customs influence the sequence of activities.