QUESTION: Is one permitted to sit in their father’s seat at home or in shul after their father passes away?
ANSWER: The obligation to honor one’s parents continues even after they have passed away (see Shulchan Aruch YD 240:9). For example, Shulchan Aruch writes that one may not refer to parents by name even after they have passed away. Nevertheless, Sefer Chaim B’yad (125:48) writes that a son may sit in his father’s seat since this is actually a consolation for the soul, as written in Tehillim (45:17), “In place of the fathers will be the sons.” Also, we find that Shlomo Hamelech sat on the throne of his father Dovid.
Rav Zylberstein (Chashukei Chemed, Bava Basra 65a) cites Rav Elyashiv zt”l who said that after the father’s death a son may sit in his father’s seat at home. Since the father is no longer alive, it is as though he sold the seat and it is no longer disrespectful to sit there. He may also sit in his seat in shul, since it is an honor for the soul to have his son sit in his seat.
Tzitz Eliezer (15:41) as well offers many sources and proofs that a son may sit in his father’s seat after his father passes away.
