Honoring a Deceased Parent?

Q. My fiancé's father died many years ago, and his mother has not remarried. She's insistent that we include her late husband's name on the invitation. Is there a way to tastefully honor his memory?

A. This is probably a bittersweet time for your fiancé's mother—she may be joyful about the coming wedding but sad that her husband isn't there to experience it. So if she wants to include the name of her deceased husband on the wedding invitation, there's really no reason to deny her request. It's perfectly appropriate and tactful. It's important, though, to not use wording that implies the deceased is issuing the invitation. Here's an example of how to begin your invite:

Doreen Louise Michaels daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Michaels and Roger Leonard Lee son of Mrs. John Lee and the late Mr. Lee request the honour of your presence at their marriage.

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Peggy Post