The obvious solution is to disconnect the telephone line. But if you cannot resist calling your brother’s boss, Miss Manners suggests that you at least do so with an excuse: Inform her where and when the service is -- or at least where his colleagues may send proper written condolences, if they wish.

A sibling wants to know how to handle people texting their deceased brother’s phone to offer their condolences

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, by email to [email protected], or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

One of his friends called me and I headed straight to the hospital, but it was too late. Someone at the hospital gave me a bag of my brother’s belongings, which I took home and stuck in a closet while I dealt with calling family and friends,