velatorio

Velatorio is a wake or vigil observed in many Spanish-speaking cultures to mourn the deceased and receive condolences. The event is typically held before a burial or cremation and may include a viewing of the body, prayers, readings, and a short service. The term derives from the practice of keeping vigil over the deceased; in some regions it is also referred to as capilla ardiente when the body is displayed in a chapel or funeral home.

Locations and timing vary: velatorios are commonly held at funeral homes, chapels, churches, or sometimes at the family home. It can last several hours and may extend until the day of the funeral or over a 24-hour period; open casket is common in some cultures and closed in others. Attendees express condolences, share memories, and may hear eulogies; food and beverage offerings are sometimes served.

Religious and local customs: In Catholic-majority areas, a mass or rosary may accompany the wake. In secular contexts, the vigil may focus on remembrance without religious rites. The practice also intersects with local funeral customs and laws, including permits and scheduling.

Related terms include wake and funeral; velatorio is commonly used in Spanish-speaking regions to describe the public or semi-public mourning period held before final rites.