Informing Estranged Family Member of Death

[Mistoffelees]

A close family member has just passed away. He had been poorly on and off for a few years but it was still quite sudden. When he'd had periods of illness before he had said that if anything happened we weren't to tell his brother who had not been in touch with him for many years. Do we now respect this wish?

It's always possible to Google, when the name disappears from the phone directory, or if you see an online obituary, you know the person in question has moved on.

Thank you all, lots to think about. It wouldn't be my place to tell him or not, I've never met him, the message would have to be by phone call, the DW has his number, or he could be contacted by letter from the deceased's daughter if she decides to go against her dad's wishes. The 'fall out' would likely be an angry phonecall to the DW along the lines of why didn't you tell me and I think she has enough to be dealing with. I'll pass on advice on here to the person who asked me for advice.