Search results
Filipinos have folk beliefs for many aspects of life, but you’ll be surprised at the sheer number of superstitions for funerals and wakes! Here are 40 Filipino superstitions to remember during these solemn occasions.
- Jane Galvez
- When the wake is held in a household, cover all the mirrors with cloth. They said that the dead tries to show themselves in mirrors, so they must be covered with a cloth.
- Family members aren’t allowed to take a bath or comb their hair in the house where the wake is being held. But they can do it in another house.
- Avoid sweeping the floors during a wake. This applies most specially to family members. Apparently, cleaning means you’re trying to banish the spirit of the dead from the household.
- Do not go straight at home right after attending a wake. If you do, the dead will follow you home. Instead, drop by someplace else. Be it somebody else’s home, the neighborhood’s sari-sari store or the mall, it doesn’t matter.
People also ask
What are some Filipino superstitions during a wake?
Are there superstitions for funerals & wakes in the Philippines?
What are some Filipino superstitions about death?
How do superstitions affect daily life?
- Cover mirrors with a cloth. According to the elders, all the mirrors in the place where the funeral of the deceased takes place must be covered with cloth.
- Don’t sweep the floor or shower at the place where the wake is being held. Known to be productive and tidy at all times, Filipinos rarely let their brooms and other cleaning materials go to keep their houses clean and nice.
- Make sure to keep the candles well-lit. Seeing groups of people gambling all night at every wake is common in the Philippines. It is because elders say that it is believed that at least one person must stay awake every night to make sure that the candles near the casket are well-lit and are replaced with new ones before they burn out completely.
- Take a short stop anywhere else before heading home. The term “pagpag” is so far the most known Filipino superstition during wakes. Meaning to “shake off”.
- No going straight home. Pagpag is the practice of making a short pit stop before going home after a wake. The belief is that this will confuse any spirits who are trying to make their way home with you.
- No leaving the recently passed alone. It’s common practice for some people to stay with the dead overnight. It’s heavily frowned upon to leave the recently passed by themself, and someone usually has to stand guard (awake!)
- No sweeping. Keeping a neat and tidy space is important for most people (especially those of the Filipino mom variety), but superstition dictates that sweeping isn’t allowed during the wake.
- No mirrors. Mirrors are usually covered in the area the wake is held. The belief goes that if someone attending the wake looks in the mirror, they might see the soul of the departed looking back at them through the reflection.
Aug 30, 2023 · When someone attends a wake or funeral, they… "Pagpag" is a deeply ingrained and widely practiced superstition in Filipino culture. Stemming from a complex blend of spiritual beliefs and cultural norms, it reflects the Filipino people's respect for the deceased and their deep-rooted fear of negative energy or malevolent spirits.
Jan 1, 2024 · 1 Key Takeaways. 2 Origin of Filipino Superstitions. 3 Common Superstitions in Filipino Culture. 3.1 Origins of Beliefs. 3.2 Impact on Daily Life. 4 Superstitions Related to Household Practices. 4.1 Cleaning Rituals and Beliefs. 4.2 Kitchen Superstitions. 5 Superstitions Surrounding Birth and Death. 6 Traditional Filipino Wedding Superstitions.
Oct 31, 2019 · 1. You can’t go straight home after a wake. Known as “pagpag,” (literally, to shake off dust or dirt) is when you make it a point to drop by some place else after visiting a wake. The ...
