David Bomse's mother died at 92. After a few weeks, he received a gift intended for her from a friend she worked for 25 years ago. David could not notify that person of his mother's death since he did not have his contact information until the gift arrived. Now he wonders whether he should send the gift back or keep it.
According to the ethicist, since the gift did not reach David's mother, it should be considered as the property of the sender, not someone who first opens the package first. Therefore, she claims, David must return the gift to its owner. I believe this would be the right choice logically, but returning the gift would not be polite. Unlike the ethicist, most of people response that David should not send the package back to its owner since the action is abruptly rude. For example, returning the gift which is not some kind of a letter but an actual gift, by marking "return to sender" would be a churlish manner.
I also agree with the responses that David should call the sender of the package personally to inform that his mother deceased and ask what he should do with the present sent to him. This would be a much more polite way to handle the situation.
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