Question

What is the irony behind the story's tile 'dear departed.'

Answer 1

the title of the play is quite ironical. the grandfather Abel is neither dear to the family nor has he departed. He is considered a burden by his own daughters and when he supposedly dies, they argue over splitting his possessions. Amusingly, he 'comes to life's and decided to part ways with him.

Answer 2

Abel Merrywhether the grandfather in the play is considered to be dead. He is the dear departed.
Ironically the dear departed is dear to none except to his granddaughter Victoria.For his greedy selfish and hypocrite daughters and their husbands the old man is nothing but a target of ridicule.Mrs Slater Henry Mrs jordan and ben have no feeling of love gratitude or sympathy for him.for them mourning dor the dear departed realizes that it did not take them long to start dividing things between them.He declares that he will change his will.He finds an outsider who thinks it is a pleasure to look after him