Funeral Etiquette....Signing the Guestbook?

I went to a wake last night.. our neighbors wife passed away. I went with another neighbor and his wife. After I signed the guestbook, he turned to me and said "Are you going to sign your sister/brother in laws names?' ( They chose not to go). I have never been asked to sign someone's name who wasn't there and it took me off guard. What is the proper guestbook etiquette...anyone know ??

Funeral Etiquette....Signing the Guestbook?
The guest book at the funeral home is for people who actually go to the funeral home. You should never sign anyone's name that didn't actually show up there. If your sister/brother in law sent flowers, donations, etc., then that's a different matter. The family should see to it that the appropriate thanks you's are sent accordingly.
Reply:If your in-laws CHOSE not to go then you shouldn't sign their names. If they COULDN'T go, then it's OK to sign their names. At funerals it's sometimes important to show that a family was represented there. This is for the benefit of the grieving family. It let's them know that your family cares. It also serves to help them out by sending one Thank You card for a whole family as opposed to sending many individual ones. Use your judgment and remember why you went there to begin with.
Reply:A guestbook is for those who attend...it is not proper to sign someone else's name unless said person is there.
Reply:You don't sign anyones name who is not there ever. This book is for the family and for them to know who cared enough to be there during their grief. I would never even think of signing anothers name for any reason...
Reply:I've never heard of that before.
Reply:It is a record of those who were there.
Reply:If they simply could not make it, I would consider signing their names. But I would probably not, because I would feel guilty about the dishonesty. Tell them to send the family a sympathy card.
Reply:You sign your own name and no one elses.
Reply:You sign your own name or your spouse's as well if they are with you.
Reply:If you attend.....you sign.
Reply:The guestbook is usually only for those that attend services. Your in-laws can always send a mass card to show their sympathy.
Reply:Sign your own name, not those who weren't there. If the family of the deceased wants to look back and see who was there, they'll see that you were.
Reply:Signing of a guest book can also been seen as a way of condolence. Signing your brothers name would not have been a bad thing.
Reply:the bottom line is, if you don't feel comfortable doing something then do not do it no matter what anyone says.
Reply:It is my understanding that you would sign for whoever actually attends the funeral. This allows the individuals who did not attend to reply in a manner that would be appropriate for them. It is acceptable for one person, though, to represent the family, if that is the family's wish. Hope this helped. MS