DEAR MISS MANNERS: Is it proper to bring a date to a funeral when the date has never met the deceased or any of the family?
My brother-in-law brought a girl he was dating (and eventually married) as a date to my mother's funeral and later made some comment that we weren't friendly to her. We were shocked that our parent had died and were mourning, and not in the mood to socialize or meet new people.
GENTLE READER: A funeral being a serious affair, Miss Manners applies the same standard to the relationship as to the date herself.
Fiancees are acceptable, passing interests are not. As this couple subsequently married, you can presume that they were serious enough for your brother-in-law to want her to be a part of family occasions. What is outrageous is for either of them to have expected her to be entertained under such circumstances.