[rhombus]

I remember having my grandpa laid out in our living room. All the family members gathered for the wake and took turns sitting with the body. It was my first funeral so I thought it was just normal.

How long ago was this? No doubt in years gone past, this was "normal". The gist of my question was, do hospitals and governments even allow this now?

[Eileanright]

How long ago was this? No doubt in years gone past, this was "normal".

I was about 5 or 6 so it would have been 1955-56. My grandpa was in a casket and was delivered by a funeral home. I am not sure if he was embalmed or not. I think the 'wake' was common then. The term 'wake' I believe was because before we embalmed people, some would wake up! So it was common with my family for someone to sit with the dead until they were buried.

The gist of my question was, do hospitals and governments even allow this now?

I have no idea but would be interesting to find out the answer.