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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to feel hurt after being left out at MIL's funeral?

194 replies

SixtyorSomething · 11/09/2026 13:43

MIL passed away this year after 6 months of palliative care, half of which was in her own home. As we live close by a lot of responsibility fell to me as DH in denial/busy and the rest of the family live in a different part of the country. AIBU to still feel upset that DH and his siblings mentioned all other family members in their eulogies but neither my SIL or I were mentioned? Not looking for thanks but a recognition that we are part of the family that we've allegedly been part of for decades. I'm especially hurt because I also asked 3 times if everyone had been included in the family photo board on display at the wake when again neither of us was on there.
It seemed trivial and petty to raise it at the time with everything that everyone was dealing with. However now MIL house needs clearing and my resentment is building over this as I'm expected once again to step forward. So AIBU to raise it now or is it time to grow up and move on?

OP posts:
user293948849167 · 11/09/2026 16:25

That is hurtful yes, I’ve never heard of SIL/DIL left out of an eulogy before. You should have been included especially after doing so much care.
Definitely wash your hands of house clearing, they can do it themselves or pay someone

BruFord · 11/09/2026 16:23

Clearing the house is just caretaking the siblings inheritance.

Well put @DuckbilledSplatterPuff and that's another reason not to get involved as people can be weird about stuff. My FIL's siblings, for example, had a huge row when they were clearing his late mother's house, because his sister said that she'd like to keep certain non-valuable items for sentimental reasons. Another brother objected and it all kicked off apparently.

Don't touch anything, they can sort it out amongst themselves.

2dogsandabudgie · 11/09/2026 16:20

I think it depends on what was said in the eulogies.

Normally a eulogy which can be done by a celebrant is about the deceased's life with usually just children and very close friends mentioned, their jobs, hobbies etc.

I have never attended a funeral where family members have been thanked for looking after the deceased.

Franpie · 11/09/2026 16:17

I have had similar happen to me and I was very upset and hurt about it.

I wouldn’t say anything to anyone for now, just quietly step back.

Once the dust has settled and everyone is getting over their initial grief then you could possibly say something then.

In my case, I have never said anything to anyone. I feel a lot less upset about it now and know that it was just thoughtlessness and nothing more than that and if I was to mention anything now, those involved would be mortified they had upset me.

QueenietheGreat · 11/09/2026 16:16

@SixtyorSomething
Do not clean the house and speak to your husband about his so called "but not quite as you married in" family
Also feeling for your SIL which reinforces everything you've spoken of twice over
If they do have the nerve to ask you itll be for their benefit as they'll sell it on and you'll not see a penny personally
So stick to your guns
You were never there just to do the difficult and demanding work
Even though you did

and be looked down upon as you were so
Perhaps reach out to your SIL?
Seems you're both in the same stable
And could be there for eachother

HardyFox · 11/09/2026 16:15

I'm sure your MIL appreciated all your help and support which is the main thing. would now say, not nastily but quite firmly, that it is up to 'family' to clear the property and clean it. If they say that includes you then mention what happened, otherwise just walk calmly away.
I would suggest you and your SIL take yourselves away for a spa break/theatre trip and dinner/very swanky afternoon tea and shopping trip (or whatever rocks your boat)as a private reward for services rendered. Preferably while the rest of the thankless bunch are donning their Marigolds for the big clean. If they are coming from away then they can stay in the house while they do it, hubby can no longer be in denial so could be in charge of the cleaning opertion.
You say is it time to grow up and move on, yes, it most definitely is - in the opposite direction.

Zimunya · 11/09/2026 16:13

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 11/09/2026 16:07

I think you and your SIL did a lovely thing for your MIL.. giving her your personal care and attention at a time when she really needed it.
You don't need to be thanked for that, but it would have been nice if they had. You took some of the burden off her children.

Setting that aside. Your service was to help MIL as a person. She has gone.. Clearing the house is just caretaking the siblings inheritance. There's no personal urgency. They can very well do that themselves. They all no doubt have annual leave.
Don't be guilt tripped into it and yes I think you really should mention this to your DH.

This is sage advice. "Clearing the house is just caretaking the siblings inheritance" - sums it up perfectly.

BruFord · 11/09/2026 16:11

LarryForPrimeMinister · 11/09/2026 13:52

Just tell them your not comfortable clearing your mils house, her children need to do it. Happened to me I looked after MIL when she was dying by myself as her children were all in denial until I got her into a hospice, then they expected me to clear her house and didn't even acknowledge what I had done for her Like no.

I would do as @LarryForPrimeMinister advises. Presumably you're not an executor either and I genuinely don't think it's appropriate for you to clear the house.

I think it would be OK to tell your DH at some point that you were hurt not to be mentioned as a family member at her funeral. You clearly were and are a family member who did a lot for her.

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 11/09/2026 16:07

I think you and your SIL did a lovely thing for your MIL.. giving her your personal care and attention at a time when she really needed it.
You don't need to be thanked for that, but it would have been nice if they had. You took some of the burden off her children.

Setting that aside. Your service was to help MIL as a person. She has gone.. Clearing the house is just caretaking the siblings inheritance. There's no personal urgency. They can very well do that themselves. They all no doubt have annual leave.
Don't be guilt tripped into it and yes I think you really should mention this to your DH.

Switcher · 11/09/2026 16:04

It's a strange oversight but not worth dwelling on. OTOH, no, I would not be clearing her house. Her children should do that.

LasagneGoblin · 11/09/2026 16:04

Tricky one. Has your DH expressed gratitude that you cared for his mother at the end of her life at all either during or after she passed? Or was it just assumed that was your job like the house clearing seems to be?

Sunbringer · 11/09/2026 16:03

Yes that would be hurtful. However I’d let it go. People don’t think straight when their mum has just died.

Marieb19 · 11/09/2026 16:01

You have every right to feel upset. Looking after a dying relative (even in a care home) is a huge burden. Whilst distant family members may not be aware of how much you did, your DH was. Have you spoken to him about it? At best their lack of acknowledgement is thoughtless and selfish and they will be organising the house clearance.

HollyhocksandPeons · 11/09/2026 16:01

Has she left you anything in the will - because that would be more telling than those idiots' attitude.

DirtyGertiefromno30 · 11/09/2026 16:00

I wouldn't clear the house @SixtyorSomethingyou will be blamed for things going missing .

CarmellaSopranosKitchen · 11/09/2026 15:55

People are very emotional at such times. Do cut then some slack.

FairLemonNewt · 11/09/2026 15:50

As we live close by a lot of responsibility fell to me as DH in denial/busy

This was your first mistake @SixtyorSomething - why does DH get to be too busy to deal with his dying mother but you don't?

Now you know what he thinks of you. what you do about it is your decision. But don't ever let him get out of adulting again............

TruffleSlinky · 11/09/2026 15:48

When DH's parents moved into retirement accommodation he cleared their house and I helped a little bit. When my parents need their house cleared, my brother and I will do it.

So I wouldn't clear their house OP. Not particularly because of what happened at the funeral but just because I think it's up to your DH and his siblings to step up. You've already done more than your fair share.

Oxymorons · 11/09/2026 15:45

Zucker · 11/09/2026 13:54

Well your husband can't be "in denial" over a house needing to be cleared. I'd step back and leave them to it OP, sounds like there's enough of them to make a plan among themselves, or pay a company to do it.

Precisely. I would simply not assume you are doing it. You haven't been asked. Say to your husband if asked, you will be saying no. If he asks why, say it's deeply personal items and you wouldn't want to make a mistake/there may be items covered in the will etc. Don't bring up the funeral, be the bigger person. Stop taking on responsibility without being asked. Have that as your boundary. Never explain either beyond anything short. You dont need to. Also numerous rows between relatives when clearing houses - stay well away or you will be the person they blame. Who is executor of the will btw? Because if there is one, they should be organising the house clearance. I'm sorry you were slighted at the funeral. I wasn't mentioned in my Dad's eulogy by a friend of Dad's, my brother organised it . It's heartbreaking for you when you are the one that has stepped up. But you know you did that OP, as a caring responsible person. You didn't have to. Yet you did x

Dozer · 11/09/2026 15:44

I too have done one bedroom flat clearance, in my 20s, for a deceased (tidy, usual amount of stuff) great uncle. With a family member as a favour to them and DH. Did no admin, purely the getting rid of stuff that wasn’t in the will. It was a huge amount of work, 3 solid days

i was exhausted, had an accident on the way home and ended up at A&E!

Flamingojune · 11/09/2026 15:43

kaylot · 11/09/2026 15:38

Dont make your mil's passing about you. They were thoughtless at a time of grieving

She's not making it about her

Dozer · 11/09/2026 15:42

You refer to considerable care work for MIL as having ‘fallen’ to you and that it is ‘expected’ for you to now do more work. Quite passive language.

Your work on behalf of your H (who ‘did what he could’, ie prioritised other things in his life) directly facilitated him to continue to work etc as though it wasn’t going on. And other family members too.

Like some other posters I think you have a DH problem.

And a ‘boundaries’ problem, perhaps.

Radioheads · 11/09/2026 15:41

Yanbu.
They obviously think yours and SIL's role is of unpaid skivvy.

You are extremely foolish if you get involved with clearing the house.

OP, people will treat you as poorly as you allow.

Your husband should have thanked you, but didn't think it necessary.

I suggest you start with him.

PashaMinaMio · 11/09/2026 15:41

TheJoyousHiker · 11/09/2026 15:17

Quite simply, don’t clear the house. Just don’t. Just don’t engage in conversation about it, don’t ask your husband when is the clear out organised for, don’t commit up helping him do this, just quietly don’t take part in it.

This is good advice.

I’ve done 2 house clearances. They crucified me physically. Neither of the deceased were close to me but somehow I got roped in for the first (with a useless family member) because geographically I was nearest.

The 2nd one I did entirely alone. It made me ill.

There was no recognition from the distant families. I still feel very resentful that I gave so much physically & emotionally to such selfish people. I’ll never do it again for anyone. Never.

Adopt an exercise of restraint.
Stand back, keep quiet, don’t volunteer solutions. See what happens.

Toastietoastie · 11/09/2026 15:40

Very odd you and SIL not mentioned.

Extremely hurtful especially given you stepped up to help out so much although it was the right decision not to bring it up. I don't think you should concern yourself too much about helping with the house, nor SIL, if she would usually help too. Could do little bits and pieces but definitely take a step back. I'm sure your late MIL really appreciated you even if the family don't seem to recognise it.

My mum pre-deceased my paternal grandmother and she was named at her funeral as she did so much for her, like a daughter. Same for my husbands grandmother as his stepdad was always on hand to help and is now with his grandfather too.

MILs sister was fuming he was to help carry the coffin and was mentioned. She then put her own husband forward to help carry despite him nor her hardly bothering with either of them.

I think death and funerals sometimes highlights people's own realisation that they were family in name but didn't really act like it.

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