Are wakes still common?

[NiftyNiblick]

I've got to go to one in a little while.

Former associate in union activities.
I trained him.
Only seventy years old, just turned, actually, not apparently sick.
Went to bed, never woke up.
What a great way to go!
We should all be so lucky.

But not that many people that I know still have open to the public wakes anymore.

My arrangements are made and paid for.
Straight from my deathbed to the crematorium, no services, no wake.

This guy was somewhat of an old school type, I remember.
I'll see him one more time, I guess.

 

[NiftyNiblick]

No responses?

Not sure if that means yes or no.

 

[Commander Dutch]

I've got to go to one in a little while.

Former associate in union activities.
I trained him.
Only seventy years old, just turned, actually, not apparently sick.
Went to bed, never woke up.
What a great way to go!
We should all be so lucky.

But not that many people that I know still have open to the public wakes anymore.

My arrangements are made and paid for.
Straight from my deathbed to the crematorium, no services, no wake.

This guy was somewhat of an old school type, I remember.
I'll see him one more time, I guess.

They are commonly called "Celebrations of Life" but are the same thing.

Had them for my parents and both my wife and I will have one for ourselves; cremation followed by a celebration of life. Instead of big bucks for a casket and plot of ground, money is set aside for a party.

 

[NiftyNiblick]

They are commonly called "Celebrations of Life" but are the same thing.

Had them for my parents and both my wife and I will have one for ourselves; cremation followed by a celebration of life. Instead of big bucks for a casket and plot of ground, money is set aside for a party.

Sounds like a good time.
Wouldn't work for us, but sounds pretty good.

 

[leaningright]

In middle America among non-Catholics it is usually called a Viewing. Less formal than a funeral, usually at the funeral home where friends and family can come view the body and pay their condolences to the immediate family of the dead person.

We did not do this with my mom or brother when they died. People came to my dads house instead.

 

[Tinkerpeach]

I've got to go to one in a little while.

Former associate in union activities.
I trained him.
Only seventy years old, just turned, actually, not apparently sick.
Went to bed, never woke up.
What a great way to go!
We should all be so lucky.

But not that many people that I know still have open to the public wakes anymore.

My arrangements are made and paid for.
Straight from my deathbed to the crematorium, no services, no wake.

This guy was somewhat of an old school type, I remember.
I'll see him one more time, I guess.

As my family is dying off we don't even do funerals anymore.

They arrange a pickup to the funeral home for cremation.

We might have a family get together or something but that's about it.

 

[NiftyNiblick]

As my family is dying off we don't even do funerals anymore.

They arrange a pickup to the funeral home for cremation.

We might have a family get together or something but that's about it.

Yup. I totally get it. Same for us.

This kid [I guess 70 isn't a kid but I remember him as one]
had a line going out the door and into the street to get in.
I couldn't believe it.
His wife seemed glad that the Gestapo and I came, however.
I didn't think that she'd even remember us.
She still looks young and healthy, and we wish her well.