Is this the new normal?

[bodsier]

When I was a kid growing up in the East End, if someone in the street died, someone would knock on each door letting everyone know, and collect a donation for a card and flowers of condolence. Sometimes (not often)it was the first time some people would have heard of the deceased by name, but would usually be aware of them at the very least.

Is this something that used to happen around here? If so, does it still happen or is the news shared solely amongst those that knew the deceased personally? I find it sad that this doesn't happen on my street. I think it's sad that the people living in our street, can leave us without so much as a sniff....sad times....

[kford]

Never heard of that in my 50 odd years

[bodsier]

Really? It was a common practice,and an opportunity to meet neighbours you didn't know if they were door knocking....it was a real community, whether you liked your neighbours, or if you didn't know them, you were informed...it's a shame they didn't do it when people moved in! I do try to bring a dish to new neighbours when they move in...my neighbour did it for me and it was so welcoming....maybe this will encourage neighbourly acts like this....well the idea's out there, if you wish to welcome your neighbour with.. "neighbourly nosh" and "farewell flowers"....Happy Xmas everyone

[Nigello]

I think welcoming a stranger with an invitation, a cake or something is valid, but knocking on an unknown person's door to say another stranger has died is contrived and odd. Sure, nod in the street eventually and say "wasn't it sad about Mrs XYZ?" but nothing more, thank you!

[malumbu]

Curiously titled thread, a bit surreal. I've lived all round the country and never heard of this. In times gone by it was traditional to stand outside your house in respect as the funeral courtege passed by.

A discussion for the lounge.

Although in these days of street Whatsapps with all the inane chat that this leads to I expect that many will pretend that they were greatest of friends when a neighbour pass on.

[KidKruger]

Save this one for April 1st.

[Spartacus]

Nigello Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I think welcoming a stranger with an invitation, a

> cake or something is valid, but knocking on an

> unknown person's door to say another stranger has

> died is contrived and odd. Sure, nod in the street

> eventually and say "wasn't it sad about Mrs XYZ?"

> but nothing more, thank you!

I think it was more prevalent when a street was a community depending on each other and often with shops on it where neighbours meet

The decline in shops on virtually every street, the introduction of television and the internet has made us more secluded as a community

The idea of taking food around when someone had died was to take away a bit of the immediate stress and worry of the widow or widower

Quite quaint really

[lameduck]

I have only lived in small streets around here,

But when I was a kid, if a neighbour died, someone would go round with a collection for a wreath

from the street, have not seen this for years now, stopped around the 60s