Always Go to the Funeral
I stumbled into this post and was reminded of something I learned very early in my HR days. With all the chatter about HR and its proper role, there is a basic role that is fundamentally important - that is to be an advocate and supporter of employees. Many years ago I was a newly hired VPHR at a mid-sized company. Shortly after I started, tragedy befell our company and an employee who I did not yet meet was killed. Not even considering the alternative, I drove 4 hours to the funeral and to pay my respects to the family. I was amazed (actually shocked and appalled, to be honest with you...) that several in my department who knew the employee for some time thought I was crazy to even ask them if they were planning on attending the funeral. When I was an HR practitioner, I always believed that I had an obligation if something happened to one of ours - to be there for the family, if needed. Most HR practitioners get this, but I'm amazed at how may do not and sometimes you just have to state what should be obvious.