They swopped stories and played music she liked I think it was nice for them. Not sure there was anything strange about it or significent that I can think of right now.
I think they made the right decision to burn the house, as final closure on that part of their life and helps them to move on.

I think the Grape children held the perfect wake for their mother. They played music she liked and looked at pictures of her life and shared their memories. Gilbert even says that even though she was angry and fat, she was their mother and there is a trace of her in each of them. "And we knew in some weird way that she wasn't gone, she had just moved into us and now it was time for us to move on." I think they celebrated that thought with their dancing and beer drinking. Then they all kissed her and told her their private goodbyes. I would wish my family to hold a gathering just like this for themselves when I die.

The decision to burn the house was brilliant. They had the death certificate from the doctor, so there would be no problem with proving Momma was really dead. At least Gilbert and Larry really hated the house itself and we know it wasn't in the best repair. And what Gilbert and Amy had realized about the circus atmosphere trying to get the body out of the upstairs was true. They had each chosen the things they wanted to carry with them into their new lives. It was perfect.

I think the Grape kids finally became a true family that night.

Bix, I agree about the burning the house decision, to avoid the circus that would have happened. Did they become a family? Not sure about that one. I thought they all got the confidence to act a little more out of self interest now that Momma was gone. But maybe sharing a decision made them more of a family. This point bothers me because I can't quite see why being a family should be held as the holy grail it appears to Gilbert.

And the fire certainly solved the funeral problem. After what Gilbert had been told went on at the funeral home by his friend, and knowing how his mother had left her chuirch after the suicide, a funeral would have been a tough option.

I think they reacted the way they did because they wanted to remember the positive things about their mother because she was their mom. They didn't want to think about what she had become but that she was their mom. They wanted to celebrate that even in her death. They didn't want to make a mockery of her anymore so it was definitely the right decision to burn the house down. They wanted to cleanse themselves of the idea that she was a joke. They wanted to remember her as their mother and not as a joke.

I agree with the excellent reasons given for why the Grapes celebrated as they did and that it was a good thing to burn down the house. Now the school is gone, the house is gone, Momma is gone....time to make some better memories! And I think it did bring them together as a family. That was definitely the warm feeling I got at the end of the book. When people have been through hell together and then joined together in one momentous conclusion, I think they are automatically rather bonded for life (such as soldiers who have gone through combat together). As they watched the fire, Gilbert took his hands out of his pockets and "I put one on Larry's shoulder and the other squeezes Ellen's arm." Something was making him feel much closer to these two than before.

I agreee with Betty Sue, their mothers death and the concern for her not becoming a spectacle brought the siblings together in a way they had not been before. They all realized that they were all what was left of momma and together they decided to do this for her. All of their lives were centered around the strength of sticking together against criticism of their family from outsiders and they decided that the outside world did not have a place in their last farewell to momma.

I loved the decision to burn the house. It was a mausoleum for them, a symbol of decay, broken dreams, and a dysfunctional family. I guess Gilbert learnt from the burning of the school, how it can be therapeutic and cleansing. He also has insights into the traditional funeral and burial: not just his friend's revelation, but attending Mr Carver's funeral, and of course peeing on the grave.
I loved it that he took the lead. He has become the man of the house now, directing both brothers, in some ways. And he really does become that shimmering knight here, properly protective. He becomes reconciled and says his goodbye. What I also loved was the bit where he's talking to Momma under his breath and Amy asks who he's talking to. "Nobody," I say. Just like his Momma talking to his father. So, she has passed into them, just as he thinks. I think the agreement amongst the family members is great too.

It's interesting that the quote about "let's sit here for a while" comes from Amy, who because she was the youngest was least able to remember what Momma had once been. She must have never really known Momma as normal, yet she's the one that starts the reminicences.

I agree Endora but I think you meant Ellen. I get those two names confused too. I caught myself in another post saying Amy for Ellen.

I don't know if there was any connection except it may have spurred the idea in Gilberts mind.

Not just me then, sorry. I need to re-read.