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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to not send a cheque?

14 replies

SummerInTheVillage · 22/07/2019 08:50

A university friend has recently died after being ill for some years. We were close at university but grew apart as we live at opposite ends of the country, had families, careers etc. We reconnected via facebook 10 or so years ago and have become quite close again, although only via the internet.

She has 2 children from her first marriage and one from her second. The DD from her second marriage and DD's DS lived with her. DD never lived with the father of her DS. This DD has never got on with her older half siblings and has often tried to put a wedge between my friend and her other children. They have some resentment about how much friend did for younger DD in terms of financial support and child care.

Didn't want to drip feed so apologies for length.

I emailed the younger DD asking if there was a charity to donate to in her mother's memory. I received a terse reply saying charity begins at home and she would like a cheque made out to her to go towards funeral expenses.

My friend had more than enough in savings to pay for her funeral. it was something we talked about in her last weeks. She has made a will and everything is to be split 3 ways. I imagine the youngest DD expected to be left the house, or hoped.

So AIBU in not sending her a cheque but in making a donation direct to cancer research? And should I tell the other children about the email being sent out, I imagine I'm not the only one to have received it.

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 22/07/2019 08:52

Of course you don't have to send her anything. I wouldn't tell the other children, though. Just leave it and let them sort it out themselves.

Stressedout10 · 22/07/2019 08:57

Wow I know that she's grieving but that's just screams of money grabbing self entitlement

chamenanged · 22/07/2019 08:57

You know you're not being unreasonable to not send her a cheque. Re telling the others, it's a tough one - I'd want them to know but I'd find it hard to be the one to cause them more stress at the moment. On balance I think you probably should tell them but pick your moment and your words very carefully.

NoSauce · 22/07/2019 08:59

I would keep out of it personally, donate some money to charity if like though.

Jeezoh · 22/07/2019 09:04

Stay out if it and donate directly to the charity in her name. I’m sorry for your loss

Floralnomad · 22/07/2019 09:06

I’d just send flowers to the funeral and then keep out of it .

Username9641 · 22/07/2019 09:06

You could e-mail back, copy in the other two, and express concern and say that their mum told you she had enough for the funeral so hopefully there is some confusion about who is paying for the funeral and the three can sort it out between them.
At least the others will know what she's doing and they can deal with it as they see fit.

itscallednickingbentcoppers · 22/07/2019 09:10

Don't make things worse for the family by getting involved. Just send a donation to the charity.

NoSquirrels · 22/07/2019 09:10

Flowers Sorry for your loss.

The only reason to tell the other DC is to stop other friends being put in the same awkward situation - and perhaps ones who think her DD might be struggling with funeral costs.

You could approach it with the other DC under the guise of "I was going to donate some money in DF's memory to charity - do you have an official cause you would like to support? I did ask X but she indicated there wasn't an official cause chosen so I wanted to see what your opinion was", perhaps?

Obviously don't send a cheque direct to her DD. That wasn't the spirit of your offer.

GreenwoodLane · 22/07/2019 09:11

Blimey, what a response! I’d donate to a charity of your choosing. Are you going to the funeral? Sometimes funeral directors organise collections on behalf of the family....

Gruzinkerbell1 · 22/07/2019 09:14

What NoSquirrels said.

I’m really sorry for your loss Flowers

SummerInTheVillage · 22/07/2019 10:13

Thanks for the replies, they have helped clarify my thinking.

My health means I can't travel for the funeral, sadly. I think I may email the others expressing sympathy and see if an opening develops.

I really don't want my friend's death to be a money making opportunity for her DD.

OP posts:
taylorowmu · 22/07/2019 10:20

I emailed the younger DD asking if there was a charity to donate to in her mother's memory. I received a terse reply saying charity begins at home and she would like a cheque made out to her to go towards funeral expenses.

Just reply with a quick 'sorry, that's not what I asked, was there a charity your mum would have liked me to donate to?'

Time40 · 22/07/2019 10:37

Wow, that's weird and grabby, but perhaps she's behaving oddly because she's grieving. No, definitely don't send her a cheque.

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