Q. I am becoming increasingly irritated at the thought of the eulogies likely to be delivered at my funeral. I just find the whole idea of people intoning from a pulpit on the subject of me deeply embarrassing and intrusive. Yet my family and friends insist that I must not cheat them of the fervent desire they inexplicably have to ‘pay tribute’ to me. I am not yet ill but at my age – 89 – I feel I am running out of time to deal with this problem. What can I do?

– A.C., London W8

A. Ask your lawyer to sort this out for you. However it’s important that you do not deny people the enjoyment factor of group recollection. The lawyer can also stipulate that although you do not wish to have eulogies delivered in the church, you very much encourage friends and family to share no holds barred memories and anecdotes in the reception after the event.

Q. What can I give as a present to a mobile telephone mechanic who did me a huge favour? Last week I travelled to London for work appointments, all of which were to be firmed up by WhatsApp, but suddenly the home button on my iPhone froze, rendering it unusable. A young man with a mobile trolley shop in Victoria station provided a temporary fix by installing a pop-up home button which appeared in ghostly form on my screen but could fulfil all the functions of the normal home button. Admittedly it only took him around 90 seconds, but he was a dignified chap and refused to let me pay him. Next time I go through Victoria I would like to give him a present as I am so grateful. In the old days I would have given a box of chocolates but these days young people all have food intolerances. Moreover, since his shop has no walls – or chairs even – he would have nowhere to put a present. What do you suggest?

– M.W., Pewsey, Wilts

A. Give him five first-class stamped envelopes with blank postcards inside. He can slip these into his back pocket. Even young people occasionally have need to use the postal service. In the fullness of time this youth will be grateful to you in turn.

Q. With reference to your advice on barcodes and how they disfigure envelopes (28 January)  – may I suggest that readers buy up large stocks of special commemorative stamps of the late Queen or celebrating the new reign of His Majesty King Charles III, since these cost the same as standard stamps yet have no barcodes and remain valid regardless of purchase price.

– The Revd D.S., Petergate, York

A. Thank you for this timely suggestion. For readers’ interest the cost of a first-class stamp is going up to £1.25 on 2 October.