--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I’m sure there’s a protocol for meeting a…" description: "\"“I’m sure there’s a protocol for meeting a spouse who’s been cremated, but I’m pretty much at a loss. Am I supposed to say hello? Shake his handle?”\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/jodi-picoult-45_marriage_i-m-sure-there-s-a-protocol-for-meeting_1285711.jpg" --- # I’m sure there’s a protocol for meeting a spouse who’s… ![“I’m sure there’s a protocol for meeting a spouse who’s been cremated, but I’m pretty much at a loss. Am I supposed to say hello? Shake his handle?” quote by Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/jodi-picoult-45_marriage_i-m-sure-there-s-a-protocol-for-meeting_1285711.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/jodi-picoult-45_marriage_i-m-sure-there-s-a-protocol-for-meeting_1285711.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/309/jodi-picoult-45_marriage_i-m-sure-there-s-a-protocol-for-meeting_1285711.jpg) > ““I’m sure there’s a protocol for meeting a spouse who’s been cremated, but I’m pretty much at a loss. Am I supposed to say hello? Shake his handle?”” [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Meeting a deceased spouse’s family is awkward; social norms don’t cover such unique situations. **In simple terms:** Meeting a dead spouse’s family is socially awkward. Key Takeaway Navigate unusual social encounters with sensitivity. Themes grief social norms awkwardness etiquette Mood empathetic light‑hearted Type dialogue humorous When to use this quote - funerals - family gatherings - memorials - online condolences Key Concepts thanology cultural customs Questions to Reflect On - How would you handle an unexpected meeting? - What respectful gestures are appropriate? A Different Perspective There’s no clear etiquette, leading to discomfort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cremated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cremated/) [Cremated Pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cremated-pretty-4169971/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Meeting Spouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meeting-spouse-4169970/) [Protocol Meeting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protocol-meeting-4169972/) [Spouse Cremated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spouse-cremated-4169969/) ## Related quotes > [What's going to happen when I die? I may be buried, or I may be cremated, I may give my body to science. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/what-s-going-to-happen-when-i-die-i-may-be-buried-or-i-may-be/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [We were having tea with my mother-in-law the other day and out of the blue she said, "I've decided I want to be cremated."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-spikey/we-were-having-tea-with-my-mother-in-law-the-other-day-and-out-of-the/) [Dave Spikey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-spikey/) > [“The last time somebody was cremated, his ashes were sprinkled from a crop duster. We all ran for cover. We liked him fine, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gayden-metcalfe/the-last-time-somebody-was-cremated-his-ashes-were-sprinkled-from-a/) [Gayden Metcalfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gayden-metcalfe/) > [When I die, nieces, I want to be cremated, my ashes taken up in a bush plane and sprinkled onto the people in town…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-boyden/when-i-die-nieces-i-want-to-be-cremated-my-ashes-taken-up-in-a-bush/) [Joseph Boyden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-boyden/) > [When I die, I want to be cremated with everybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/when-i-die-i-want-to-be-cremated-with-everybody/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [There are secrets I will take to the grave and others I'd feel safer having cremated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/there-are-secrets-i-will-take-to-the-grave-and-others-i-d-feel-safer/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [“Your father, madam, was fully cremated. I made absolutely certain.” Alexia swallowed silently and then said fervently, “Thank you, Floote.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/your-father-madam-was-fully-cremated-i-made-absolutely-certain-alexia/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [A politician should not be written off till he or she is cremated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-fernandes/a-politician-should-not-be-written-off-till-he-or-she-is-cremated/) [George Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-fernandes/) > [I want to be cremated, and I want my ashes blown in Uri Geller's eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-randi/i-want-to-be-cremated-and-i-want-my-ashes-blown-in-uri-geller-s-eyes/) [James Randi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-randi/) > [“For nearly two years, Bert had been taking care of Susan Branaman, who was dying of cancer. ... 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I don't believe in wasting wood and I feel that one should give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khushwant-singh/i-don-t-want-to-be-cremated-i-want-to-be-buried-i-don-t-believe-in/) [Khushwant Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khushwant-singh/) > [My wife said to me, "I want to be cremated." I said, "How about Tuesday?"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddy-hackett/my-wife-said-to-me-i-want-to-be-cremated-i-said-how-about-tuesday/) [Buddy Hackett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddy-hackett/) ## More by Jodi Picoult > [You get through it, you just never get over it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/you-get-through-it-you-just-never-get-over-it/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [“Let me guess," Eric says, "You never meant for it to happen." "Hell, yes, I did. 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