DEAR MISS MANNERS: Last year, a friend's brother passed, and I did not attend the viewing or funeral. Recently, another brother passed, and I would like to attend the viewing. Is this OK? I really don't have a good reason why I didn't attend last year's funeral.
GENTLE READER: You may certainly attend the upcoming funeral, but please stifle your inclination to blab about why you missed the previous one. The answer you give above may be honest, but it will not comfort a grieving friend. Miss Manners trusts no one will ask about your previous failure. But if they do, your answer should be, "Yes, I know. I'm so sorry that I missed it."
(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, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)