A wake is a social gathering associated with death, held before a funeral. Traditionally, a wake involves family and friends keeping watch over the body of the dead person, usually in the home of the deceased. However, some modern wakes are held at a funeral home or another convenient location. The wake or the viewing of the body is a prominent part of death rituals in many cultures. It allows one last interaction with the dead, providing a time for the living to express their thoughts and feelings with the deceased. It highlights the idea that the loss is one of a social group affecting that group as a whole, and is a way of honoring the dead.