Dear Queenie,
My mother is getting old and starting to talk about what kind of funeral she wants – something religious, fancy, elaborate and expensive. It’s not like she will be leaving us a lot money to pay for it and what she wants would cost a lot more than we can afford.
Queenie, are we honour-bound to give her what she wants after she is dead and gone?—Worried children
Dear Worried,
In the first place, I am firmly of the belief that funerals are for the benefit of the living and make no real difference to the deceased.
That said, try not to make promises you cannot keep. Instead of telling her you will do whatever she wants, tell her you will do your best to comply with her wishes. Then, when the time comes, do what you can afford to do.
