Through the lichgate

A lich is a body, living or dead and the lychgate or litchgate is a roofed churchyard gateway to rest the bier under. A lich-owl is a screech-owl, deemed a death portent and a lich way is a path by which the dead are carried to burial. A likewake or lykewake is a watch over the dead often with merrymaking. Trouble with the latter is the corpse can't enjoy it. I know someone who held her own party every year so she wouldn't miss it and absolved everyone present from attending the real thing !