This morning Middle Sister told us that one of her friends’ grandfathers had died. She was, understandably, sad for her friend, since she certainly knows what it’s like to lose a grandfather. I told her to let me know when the funeral arrangements were made, and that if she (and other friends) wanted a ride to the wake, I’d be happy to help with that.
So here’s the big question: I’ve met this kid’s parents maybe twice. Do I go in with the kids to the funeral home, or just wait outside? Do I go through the whole “condolences and procession past the casket” thing when the only family member I really know is a teenage boy? (Awkward…) Or do I go in and just stand in the back and wait for all the kids to be done? At this point, I’m not sure what my daughter wants, or if she even knows.
In a completely unrelated matter, Middle Sister’s friends all think it’s weird that we say “wake.” Apparently, here in South Jersey, which is a completely different country than North Jersey, where I grew up, they say “viewing.” Even if it’s a closed casket. (So when she texted them with my offer of a ride to the funeral home, they all said “What’s a wake?”)