A co-worker of 10 years lost his father yesterday after a lenghty battle with cancer and complications. None of the employees actually knew or even met the man. Though we all knew that he was great guy and very close to his son.We were all very sad for our co-workers loss. Half of the office is planning to attend the services in support of our friend. Though some are feeling that it is not appropriate as they did not know the deceased or anyone else from the family. I think we should just send flowers and maybe have a small get together after everything is over for the coworker or something to let him know we care. Any opinions? I myself am not very good at this type of thing.

I think it would be a very good idea. Even if everyone just pitched in for a basket of flowers for the coworker and his family. We had families in the nursing home send flowers to us for always taking care of the person. I dont see why that wouldnt be a bad idea for this situation. yur just showing the person you care.

How 'bout everyone chipping in to make a donation to his favorite charity/cause in his name?

Having a get together would not be a good idea.

Some flowers and a condolences card would be okay.

you go to the services normally for the living not the dead...

i know when my father died of course i went for him.. but i was there for everyone close to him as well.. now......... i needed time to myself after that... not hang with a bunch of people.. other than family still time alone was most important JMO

I never thought the funeral was just for folks who knew the person who passed away. I thought it was for support of the ones left behind. Sending flowers is nice, but flowers also die. I prefere donations. To actually show up and tell the co-worker that you are saddened for his loss, I think, would be a greater comfort to the co-worker.

Yes, very true. As an ex-cop, and ex-soldier, I've gone to many wakes and funerals for people I don't know, just out of respect for the position that they held. In my other jobs, I have gone to services for my co-workers departed family/friends just out of respect for the person that I worked with.

Have any get together on a day a week or so after the funeral, so that your colleague can spend time with his family.

Just by going, you're showing your co-worker, and his family that they are in your thoughts, and on your mind in their time of loss.

My Mom passed away when I was 21, and her wake and funeral were held at the chapel at her work (a large hospital). She had worked there on and off for 15 years or so, and my Dad worked there for about 20 years at the time. The services were standing room only, as just about every employee showed up out of respect for them both. (It was a County run facility south of Chicago). There were over 1,400 names in the registry. We were flabbergasted by the huge volume of people..


I miss you Mom and Dad..

yep she has it right

yea my dad went when i was only 22... and honestly a week was not enough... i still hurt over it.. but im thinking like 2 weeks minimum preferably it would of been 3 weeks... and maybe not something to mourn more about either, just a get together... to get out and away from all the mourning..

I agree..

Thanks for all the opinions. We are all going to go in respect of our co-worker.