DEAR ABBY: My father recently died. My co-workers took up a collection to give to me. It has always been my understanding that gifts such as this should be used for the funeral expenses. Therefore, I passed the money on to my mother.
When I mentioned it to a couple of my co-workers and friends, they said I should have kept the money for myself -- that was the intent. Was I wrong to pass it on to my mother? She is the one paying for the funeral and needs the money for a headstone, etc. -- LINDA IN EDINBURG, ILL.
DEAR LINDA: Your friends are well-intentioned but mistaken. My understanding is the same as yours -- and you did the right thing in giving the money to your mother to help with the expenses surrounding your father's funeral.