Inappropriate Obituary

Josie Anello passed away mid-February and her obituary was the subject of discussion after her passing due to how one son described his siblings. A portion of the obituary reads: “She is survived by her Son, ‘A.J.’, who loved and cared for her; Daughter ‘Ninfa’, who betrayed her trust, and Son ‘Peter’, who broker her heart.” 

A.J. submitted this obituary in his mother’s memory, and some feel that it could have done without mention of family conflicts. Additionally, A.J. should not put words into his deceased mother’s mouth about his siblings when she is no longer available to confirm or deny those sentiments. Chances are that his mother would want the siblings to reconcile and be on friendly terms with one another. 

See Obituary Ethics: The Anello Family Follies, Ethics Alarms, Feb. 25, 2012. 

Special thanks to Helen W. Gunnarsson (Associate Counsel, ABA/BNA Lawyers’ Manual on Professional Conduct, Center for Professional Responsibility) for bringing this article to my attention.