What is a repass at a funeral? check this out | what is a repass
Sarah Martinez
Updated on July 18, 2026
A repast is any gathering after a funeral service. You might have heard it called a reception, which is what it’s commonly known as today. Repasts are less formal than a funeral service or memorial. They are typically open to everyone who came to the funeral, though they can also be private, depending on the family.
intransitive verb. : to pass again especially in the opposite direction : return. transitive verb. 1 : to pass through, over, or by again repass the house.
Why do they call it repass?
The word “repast” has Latin roots and translates to “to eat.” In the past, the word was used to mean any mealtime, but eventually became solely used for the meal eaten after a funeral. The point of this tradition was to offer those who were closest to the deceased the chance to grieve privately.
What is a repass party?
A funeral reception (or repass) is a gathering following a funeral service or memorial. If it is open to everyone, an invitation will be announced at the end of the service by the clergy, a family member or the funeral director.
Is a repass the same as a wake?
No Matter The Name
In days past, a Wake was a common form of saying farewell to our deceased. Today we have gentler titles like Repass (repast) or Celebration of Life. Wakes may have been common, but for many today, keeping the body of a loved one at home or waiting in a funeral home is uncomfortable.
What happens at a repass?
A repast, pronounced repass, is when people gather after the memorial or funeral service. Generally a repast is open to everyone. An announcement is usually made by the surviving family, clergy, or funeral director inviting the audience after the funeral service. A repast can be held practically anywhere.
Do you have to have a repast?
Aside from the many details of the funeral or memorial service itself, it’s also customary (but not required) to host a reception or repast following the event. It allows friends and family the opportunity to meet in a less formal environment.
What is a repast for?
Whether it’s a sumptuous feast you’re sitting down to or just a simple bite to eat, repast is just another word for “meal.” Based on the Latin word repascere, which means “to feed,” a repast is any collection of food served and eaten at one time. In verb form, repast means to eat or feast.
What is the difference between repass and repast?
Which is Correct Repast or Repass? Generally speaking, when referring to the reception after a funeral repast and repass can be used interchangeably. According to Webster, the definition of repass is “to pass through, over, or by again” and the definition of repast is “something taken as food”.
What do you serve at a repast?
The culinary delicacies found at repasts are often comfort foods, that is foods high in starch and calories that have some sentimental value. Common comfort foods in the United States include pasta salads, pastas, fried items (e.g., fried chicken, chicken fried steak), breads, sandwiches, pies, cakes, and casseroles.
What do you call refreshments after a funeral?
The Funeral Reception. We sometimes hear the after-funeral reception is referred to as a “repast.” Historically, the repast was a meal shared by close friends and family after the funeral.
What is a celebration of life?
A celebration of life service is a type of end-of-life ceremony where people come together to celebrate the unique life of the deceased. Celebrations of life are commonly held after physical remains have been cared for through burial or cremation.
What do you bring to a repass?
As for what to bring, there is no need to bring anything extravaganza but if you can, you can send flower ahead of you, in time for the funeral or for the repast arrangement.
How long do funerals usually last?
How Long Does a Typical Funeral Last? You can expect a typical funeral to last about 40 to 60 minutes. Some funeral services may only last around 30 minutes, sometimes less.
How do funerals go?
Traditional Funeral Features
During the service, people may say prayers, deliver eulogies, read passages from scripture or literature, or sing songs. At the end of the service, the body will be removed to a hearse by the pallbearers and brought to the cemetery for interment.
Is it OK to go to the funeral but not the wake?
The short answer is, yes. It’s usually just fine to attend both the wake and the funeral. Especially if the person who dies was someone you knew very well. In fact, most people would consider it the respectable thing to do.
Who pays for the repast?
Church banquet hall: For funeral services held at a church, a repast is often held at an on-site banquet hall. In some cases, the family or a close friend pays to have this type of gathering catered. Often, however, church members will volunteer to prepare food, serve, set up, and clean up after the event.
What is the gathering before a funeral called?
What is a Memorial Gathering? A Memorial Gathering is a time that’s set aside for friends and family to pay respects to the person who has passed away. Many families host the Memorial Gathering before or even instead of a funeral service. The Gathering can be as religious or non-denominational as you want.