Knowledge is Power

I once prided myself on knowing how to behave.  I may not have behaved, but mother, reinforced by father, beat good manners into her sons.  Today I'm stumped, so once again I come to you hat in hand.

The following story appeared earlier in this week in our local,  the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

"Ross is alive and well after report of his death"

Former Southern Methodist University and NBA basketball player Quinton Ross had to ease the fears of friends and family members after he was erroneously reported dead.  Ross lives in the suburbs near Dallas and was attending Monday's night NIT game between Louisiana State and SMU. He said he woke to a phone loaded with messages from people concerned about his well being...."

Apparently, the New York Post published a story saying his body was found buried on a public beach in New York.

************

It would never once occur to me to phone someone I thought was dead. Believing they wouldn't answer what would I say...to whom?  Is phoning the dead now common practice?

Just wondering.
Toad