Sir, - Looking at death announcements each day in your newspaper, one frequently comes across a request from the family of the deceased for people to send donations to a specified charity. Perhaps I could suggest an alternative?
Last month, a very fine parishioner, Tommie Moran, died in Milford Hospice in Limerick. His funeral Mass was celebrated here in St Mary Magdalen Church, Monaleen, in mid-August. At the request of his wife and family, a collection was taken up during Mass for Milford Hospice. A substantial sum was collected. It was a wonderful tribute to Tommie and to the loving care he received in the hospice.
The collection was mentioned in his funeral notice, so people were prepared. Perhaps this practice could be introduced throughout Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Terry O'Brien, Parochial House, Monaleen Road, Limerick.