DEAR MISS MANNERS: My brother passed away and I found out about it from a nephew (not my brother's son) who posted it on social media. I find it absolutely disrespectful that my sister-in-law would not personally call me or any of my siblings (there are four of us) to notify us of his death.
It's not a matter of conflict with anybody. My sister-in-law just left it up to her children to notify others, and this nephew just posted it. Of course, not everyone is on social media.
What is your opinion on the proper etiquette on death notifications to relatives, especially immediate family members?
GENTLE READER: Someone should have called, Miss Manners agrees. The question is: Who?
The widow's not being up to the task may be understandable. One can understand distraught children falling short. But eventually, someone in the family has to take responsibility.
After the nephew bungled it and you learned the news, the kindest course of action would have been to call your sister-in-law and offer to make any remaining calls yourself.