What to say to my children. Someone has died but we never met him.

[Whatjusthappenedthere]

I thought about posting this in bereavement but then thought better of it. This is not exactly light hearted but neither does it hold the same seriousness when measured agsinst the loss of a loved one.
About a year ago my iPhone , via the maps app started telling me how far away we were parked from a location with a very amusing name. Think along the lines of “ Rabbit Ron” but funnier. My kids found this hilarious, looked him up and his house backed on to our garden. For a year they have asked “how far away from Rabbit Ron are we today”? ... we were recently queuing for a ride at Alton Towers and the phone piped up we were x amount of time from RR . They are so invested in our little joke they want to walk around and meet Rabbit Ron. His house is literally five minutes from ours. I have no idea why my phone suggests his location or how far away we are from his home but it does.
I found out today “Rabbit Ron” died two weeks ago. I’m honestly sad , I never met him but his name thanks to Google maps has been a part of my children’s lives for a year. He gave us so much laughter.
My aibu is do I tell the children. Either way the reminders still seem to be coming. Do I laugh along or ignore the requests of “how far away are we today Mummy!”.
For context, they lost a much loved Grandad this year. They understand grief but all the same it feels a bit crap. For me as well. What do I say next time Google maps reminds me how far away we are. .

I don't really understand what you're going on about. why are you sad that someone you never met or knew has died? Turn Google maps off.

How old are they?

I don’t understand - is it the name of a location, or a person? If it’s a person’s name, why is it on Google Maps?

Not meaning to miss the point, sorry, but this confusing bit means your scenario doesn’t make sense to me.

I don't think you need to say anything at all if you think it might upset them or remind them of the loss of their GP. They've never met him and weren't likely to. If the notifications stop then the explanation is he probably moved away.

A location?

he gave us so much laughter

^Er you never met the guy. This is bizarre

Why would you tell them?

My sister would often tell me things growing up 'oh that song is about someone dying' etc. And 'Remember Jesus of Nazareth, that gorgeous fella in the film, He is actually that old fat fella in Holby City with the tight periwinkle curls.'
For fuck sake! WHY WOULD SHE TELL ME THAT!
I suppose she thought it was information, and that I would want to know. No I didn't and I still don't want to know bad news. I've enough shit to be dealing with.

This would just upset them. Why do you want to tell them?

You what hun?

I thought it was a place?

Your post makes no sense.

I probably wouldn’t tell them

This doesn't make sense, is it a location or a person?

Why is 'Rabbit Ron' funny? I don't get it.

Are you quite well?

I think you were probably right not to post this in bereavement.

Plus, if your garden backs on to his, and you know his house is 5 minutes from yours, how come you have no idea how far away from his home you are?

I just don't get it.

I get what you mean!

I don't know why people would bother replying if they didn't understand.....aaaaanyway, that does sound quite funny. I. Wouldn't bother telling them he's died but perhaps tell them you heard they'd moved out of you didn't want to crap on the fun. That's my suggestion anyway. Some joyless weirdos on this site, honestly! X

Tell them Rabbit Ron has turned off his location settings do no one can find him, and moved to Australia.

But, surely your phone will continue to tell you have far you from Ron, even though he's not actually there?

Ok. Sorry for the confusion. We live on a housing estate. “Rabbit Ron” is a real person. We can see the back of his house from ours but we have never met. For a year or so since Google Maps started suggesting him as a location we might be near to I had no idea who lived in that house. I still have no idea why Google Maps decided to show me his home as a destination from which we either bear or far but it did. To the point the kids always want to know. He was a real man in our otherwise “jokey” exsistance. But as it turns outs given the fact our gardens backed onto each other ( maybe why maps confused our location ) I have found out he died. He’s no longer a “jokey” contact on maps. He’s a man who died of cancer. Do I tell my 12 year old son who loves to know “how far away are we from Rabbit Ron” today Mum? My own personal feelings is I tell them he’s died. That seems most respectful. On the other hand it feels like telling them an old friend has died even though we never met him.

I don't consider myself a joyless weirdo, but i don't understand how a location turns into a man who died? Anyway, i s'pose if you pick through the oddness of the op, my answer would be that i wouldn't tell the dc a man has died, especially as it is likely to arise during a fun day out, when they question you as to how far away from the place/man you are. I think i would turn off the notification and let the 'joke' die out naturally,

How did you find out he died? If he was alive would you go round and introduce yourselves as the family who have mega lols at his location?

Very bizarre.

Can’t you just tell them he’s moved house or something?

Sorry x post.

You are making this into a much bigger deal than it is.

He isn't an old friend. He is a name on a map.

Either tell your son that he has died, but don't go about losing an old friend.

Or just tell your son he must have turned his maps off.

Or carry on looking and tell him how far from home you are. If he lives behind you, it will be a similar amount.

Dont tell them, just divert their attention, lie or pretend he hasn't died as there is a fiction already! Then when they are older, tell them and it will be a funny story and they will understand !