I ask this in all seriousness: how is dressing up a deceased infant, bringing him or her home, and rocking/holding the child ok...but bringing Grandma home, sitting her in a chair (or rolling her around in a wheelchair), and hugging her is considered sick and twisted? Where is the line drawn? Why is one ok, but not the other?
I think the mechanics of sitting dear-departed grandma in a chair would be difficult. Hence the laying in an open-casket (representing a bed of sorts?) and viewed at the funeral home or one’s house is a more age-appropriate thing. Along with dressing the deceased, putting on makeup, hairstyling, etc.
And as been mentioned up thread, holding, touching, talking to, etc. And perhaps more important when it is a baby that the siblings otherwise may have never seen.
I suppose if it were me - it would be to somehow instill in my kids that this death IS a BIG deal to Mom and Dad - the loss of the baby is no different than the loss of one of you children. So when mom or dad breaks down crying making sandwiches for you kids 6-months from now, maybe you’ll understand just a little and don’t think that we are over-reacting.
I was able to hug and kiss my father a couple of days before he died and my mom within hours of her passing. If I would have been there when they passed I would have done the same. It is saying a good bye. It is not “sick and twisted” This story brought tears to my eyes. God Bless this family. It is sweet sorrow that they got to hold their little son and brother for a few hours and celebrate his short life.