Question

what purpose does the bureau serve in the play the dear departed

Answer 1

1- beurau told about the evil mind of Mrs slater... When she talked about stealing the beurau from the house and shifting the old one in the room back 
2- due to the beurau grandfather Merryweather knew that his children took him as a burden.... And wanted to get rid of him 
3- the will of grandfather was also locked in the beurau

Answer 2

The bureau is crucial to the unfolding of the story bcoz it stored Abel Merryweather's will apart from being an expensive item owned by their father . The sisters wanted to outdo each other and get their hands on it first.

hope it helps uh!!!