DEAR MISS MANNERS: Should one attend the funeral service of the parent of a good friend and neighbor if one has never met the deceased?
GENTLE READER: There are two reasons for attending a funeral: Showing respect for the deceased and supporting the bereaved. Although these often overlap, Miss Manners considers that either one should be sufficient motivation for going.
(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.)