DEAR MISS MANNERS: Would you do this Gentle Reader an enormous favor and remind those who attend funerals not to approach the near and dear of the dearly departed with questions such as, "Do you remember me?" or "Do you know who I am?"
Please, if I have not seen you in many years, just tell me your name, and possibly how I know you, as in, "Hello, I'm Bob, and I worked with your father for many years. I am so sorry for your loss."
I have had this guessing game thrown at me at both of my parents' funerals, as well as at the funeral of an old high school friend whose service I helped to conduct. I can almost forgive the high school instance, because such an event is only a step away from an actual reunion. But please don't terrorize family members with it.
GENTLE READER: People who do this, on any occasion whatsoever, have answered their own question -- no, they are not memorable. Miss Manners would think that that realization alone would discourage this rude quizzing.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)