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.

Some people sent messages and then started calling my brother’s phone. When I answered, some were polite, others were prying

A grieving sister is dismayed by calls and texts of condolence to her dead brother’s cellphone; a prominent guest has something noticeable stuck in his teeth.

Almost instantly, it started pinging with messages -- the vast majority of which were condolences from my brother’s colleagues. Most of them signed their names as “John Doe, Position at Company.” Is it acceptable to send condolences to a deceased person’s telephone in the hopes that a family member will read them?