In a message dated 3/20/99 2:18:15 AM Central Standard Time, FIANNA-D- [email protected] writes: << For whatever reason, wakes moved to Funeral parlors after the war >> I already have the funeral home picked out for my funeral service, because it has a large "party" room that will be reserved for my wake I have told family and friends many times that I will have the cost of a big, big party included in my will, and that EVERYBODY who knows me is to be invited. Not just to "pay their respects," but to sit a spell and laugh and talk and eat and drink and maybe, just a little bit, to celebrate my life. It would be a major compliment to me if they thought it were worth celebrating! The man who owns the funeral home said they built the big room (complete with adjacent kitchen) for those luncheons or receptions after a funeral when folks no longer return to the home with the family. But he said he would be delighted if it were ut to use again as a "wake house." And yes, I am of Irish descent, but no one around here is. Not even the people at our church. love joan