“I’m not excusing the police. I’ve never been around anyone that spends all night at a funeral.”
Difference is between the funeral services and a reception/wake party after the funeral. But the wake party is also considered part of the funeral. Wakes used to be held before the services, now days they are held after the services and it is usually just a party with all the family and friends including kids to eat, drink, and be merry in remembrance of the loved one. And yes, the parties can last all night sometimes.
Just like the wedding reception that follows a wedding.
Yes, one of the previous posters explained that to me as really a point of semantics. I’m around people who differentiate between wakes, funerals (this is mostly a religious ceremony) and rememberances (not usually with a preacher but can be). Receptions are dinners.
Some of these things require a lot of planning, some not so much. That may be why the segments of the event are differentiated in the first place.
I’m getting the impression that calling the whole thing a funeral is a kind of BYOB event. I’ve got nothing against that and can see the upside to it.