I agree with maddielee. Especially if your kids played with theirs back in the day, it will mean a lot to them for you to take the time.

Go.

Go. People need all the support they can get at a time like this.

Another vote to go.

Go. How tragic, only 40, my daughter's age. Support at this time means a lot.

Another vote to go. I don't think it's ever wrong to show up in these kind of situations. They will appreciate it.

I would go.

i would go.

Go

GO and contribute to either the gofundme page or directly to the family for the children.

Another go. I have never felt wrong going to a viewing, but I have occasionally regretted NOT attending one. So now, when in doubt...I go.

Another vote to go. And send a card and contribute too if you can. I'd add a few personal words in the card.

I agree, go. (My mother told me that one of her mother's students came to the visitation. My mom had never even met the man before. But he told her how much her mother had encouraged him and my mom found that very meaningful.). And donate to the gofundme if you can.

Joanie, I understand your dilemma. Your hesitation stems from the fact that you learned about this second hand. You are not connected enough to have learned about it from the family. I get how you are feeling.

I had something similar happen to me. I did go but in retrospect it wasn't necessary. There were so many people at the wake, and i was not in touch with the neighbor but found out through another neighbor.

it is never wrong to be kind. However, honestly in my situation it would not have mattered to the family.

The difference in your story is that you see the neighbor, even though it is in passing. I think it will bother you the next time you see her if you don't acknowledge her son's death.

My DH's brother recently passed away unexpectedly and people that my inlaws had not talked to in decades came to the funeral. I know my inlaws did not contact them directly. They were very grateful for all the support and enjoyed visiting with old friends.

I would go and I would contribute to the Go Fund Me. At times like this people coming together brings comfort to the family. Your support and your presence will speak volumes.

I don't think this should be awkward at all. Someone died. You are kind and want to be supportive toward his family and poor little children. If it were you, you would would feel so good to think they cared enough to come.

I'm of the mindset that when there is a tragic loss, there is never too much support or too many hugs from people who care enough to be present.

When a neighbor from my childhood passed a few years back I went to the service even though I hadn't seen him in years. We were a close knit neighborhood and friends with his kids until high school. Another neighbor came to my mother's service and he hadn't spoken to her in years, but I can't tell you how comforting it was for me (and I believe my sisters as well) for him to be there. I think that if you feel like you should go, than you should.

I completely agree.

I don't know about contributing to GoFundMe pages. In this case, if you think it's necessary then perhaps. What I'm thinking about is your kids playing with the neighbourhood kids and if some extra money would help in giving them a childhood that has been turned upside down it might help.

Go. It's OK that you feel awkward about it, that just means you're really thinking about it. And that's a good thing.

It is times like these when people we have lost touch with often show up, out of respect for the relationship once shared. There is no downside to going.

My father passed away earlier this month after a short illness. A friend from childhood - who I haven't seen in decades - was at the viewing; her parents had been friends with mine. I appreciated that she was there. There is no awkwardness to going.

Miracx, I am so sorry for your loss.

I agree there is no downside to going-- I'd also likely send aa card and contribute to the family. It's a terrible thing to bury a child-- no matter the age-- and for a young family to lose a father/husband.

I disagree with this statement:

"I understand your dilemma. Your hesitation stems from the fact that you learned about this second hand. You are not connected enough to have learned about it from the family. I get how you are feeling."

I think the expectation for the message to be relayed personally is exceptionally out of bounds. The family is grieving and tending to one another's needs-- which is exactly what they should be doing. Please don't think personal contact or invitation is required.

I'd go.

Go. It is an act of respect and kindness.

I also think you should go if you can. I think it will mean a lot.

I would go.

Go. I think it would mean so much that you just cared enough to go.

if you didn't go tot either the funeral or the viewing, since they're neighbors, the least you could do is bring some food to the family along with a card and pay your neighbors a personal visit.

When our next door neighbors mother passed away we didn't attend the service, but I did bring him a casserole and a card. He seemed to really appreciate our thoughts.

Thank you all. We are going to the viewing tomorrow and I have donated to the Gofundme page for the kids. I will do something personal for my neighbor in the next week or so....food or flowers, etc.

It seems he died in his sleep and may have had heart problems. My husband found his wife's FB page. They were high school sweethearts. There were pictures from June 10th of the family all dressed up for a wedding or some celebration. And she posted touching birthday wishes to him on the 15th....3 days before he died.

These events always make us take stock don't they?