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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to exclude DMIL’s close friend from funeral?

267 replies

HeyDuddy · 17/02/2022 00:27

DMIL is in a hospice dying from kidney disease and advanced dementia. She created an end of life plan before she lost capacity which basically refused all medical care. Her friend is making my life hell (I am dealing with most of it as DH has cancer). She wrongly believes that I have stopped DMIL getting the care she needs, and will not believe it was DMIL’s wishes. I actually have nothing to do with the decision making- all doctors and nurses involved in her care have seen the document and will not give anything that isn’t absolutely necessary. For example she has morphine for pain but they refused a surgery that she could have had as it wouldn’t have significantly improved things. Her friend is being very vocal and telling everyone who will listen how we have stopped her getting the care she needs and we’re just after her money- she also said all this at the DMIL’s bedside at the hospice. She tried calling social services and the GP but they didn’t take anything any further and realised it was malicious. DMIL only has a few days left as she now is having almost no water and I am terrified of the scene she will make at the funeral. Without me telling her I don’t think she would find out the funeral details as she doesn’t have any other mutual friends with DMIL. AIBU to not give her the details and hope I never see her again.

OP posts:
MichelleScarn · 17/02/2022 23:06

@peboh

I think you would be unreasonable yes. Whilst I think the whole situation is absolutely awful, the friend is acting out of grief and sadness. It doesn't excuse her behaviours, but to punish her by refusing to let her say goodbye to her friend would just be beyond cruel.
So the 'friend' can be a shit and op and her dh have to 'be kind' and centre her in their grief and disregard theirs?
PenStation · 17/02/2022 23:35

Condolences OP Flowers You sound very sensible, I hope the thread is helping in some way.

IamEarthymama · 17/02/2022 23:46

Sending condolences to all of you.
💐
I hope you have some peace and quiet to recover from the last months and to make all the decisions of the next few days.

Zonder · 17/02/2022 23:52

@peboh

I think you would be unreasonable yes. Whilst I think the whole situation is absolutely awful, the friend is acting out of grief and sadness. It doesn't excuse her behaviours, but to punish her by refusing to let her say goodbye to her friend would just be beyond cruel.
What about the grief and sadness of the deceased woman's family? Do they have to put up with the risk of being badmouthed publicly at the funeral? Or having horrible hurtful slander thrown at them?
Andouillette · 18/02/2022 00:02

My deepest sympathies to you and your DH, @HeyDuddy

Some people need to read the bloody thread before commenting. There is nothing 'kind' about encouraging the 'friend' who has been anything but kind to OP and family. It is even more inappropriate now bearing in mind that OP's MIL is now at peace and OP + family have so much to cope with.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 18/02/2022 00:25

Love and condolences to you all, @HeyDuddy

The sense of relief is immense, I miss her terribly but the last few months were brutal for her.

This sentence is testimony to your honest, genuine love and concern for your DMIL. I'm sure her feelings for you were mutual Flowers

I love your comment about her shocking musical tastes! Nobody would feel comfortable saying something like that if their relationship and bond with the person who has now left them hadn't been strong and full of the kind of love and tender familiarity that allows you to grow closer by laughing with each other.

Such a shame that this toxic woman can't be as grown-up and caring about her - and about you, her loved ones - and is insisting on totally centring her own feelings, to the detriment of anybody else, regardless of the grief she's also going through herself.

acatcalledjohn · 18/02/2022 07:51

OP, you may find this a helpful article. I remember reading it years ago. It's about circles of grief.

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-xpm-2013-apr-07-la-oe-0407-silk-ring-theory-20130407-story.html

Teamill · 18/02/2022 08:00

My condolences for your loss. Your MIL was clearly much loved by you all. Don't let this woman's bad behaviour interfere with your grief.

BABAHOTEL · 18/02/2022 09:00

I'm sorry for your loss. I hope things are ok with the friend.

dexterslockedintheshedagain · 18/02/2022 10:03

@peboh

I think you would be unreasonable yes. Whilst I think the whole situation is absolutely awful, the friend is acting out of grief and sadness. It doesn't excuse her behaviours, but to punish her by refusing to let her say goodbye to her friend would just be beyond cruel.
Almost as cruel as accusing them of only being after her money, creating a scene at DMILs bedside at the hospice, blaming OPs DH for bringing his cancer on himself, sending vile text messages ...... ODFOD
OVienna · 18/02/2022 10:12

@HeyDuddy So sorry for your loss. I am so worried the '#BeKind' crew on this thread will upset you. Please try to ignore.

Don't give the friend another thought. She is free to commemorate your mother in law's life in whichever way she chooses. If she hasn't had a relationship with you or your MIL's wider family and friendship circle and she has felt moved to be deeply unpleasant to you and your DH, I fail to understand how spending time with you all now would be a comfort to her let alone you. She cannot be allowed to disrupt a service which is, however, a comfort to others.

Thinking of you. Flowers

Blossomtoes · 18/02/2022 10:27

You’re the kind of dil most of us dream of @HeyDuddy. Condolences to you both. I hope you manage to navigate the funeral without any toxic intervention. You’re doing absolutely the right thing. 💐

Justilou1 · 18/02/2022 10:27

I’m so sorry for DH & your loss. I’m pleased for your MIL that she isn’t suffering and she went with dignity and that her choices were honoured. You sound kind and loving and I genuinely believe that you and DH have done everything you possibly could have done to be there for your MIL, honour her wishes and let her know she was loved. Nobody could ask for more. You in particular must find this time very confronting, and I think you have been brave and honourable.

I think there is a compromise. (Which this friend won’t like, but it might make you feel like you haven’t entirely excluded this friend.)
You could get a solicitor to send her a letter notifying her of your MIL’s death. It can state expressly (now that she is deceased) that your MIL’s medical wishes were strictly adhered to, and if she continues to persist with the character assassination of you and DH, then their advice will be for you to press charges against her.

Then to soften the blow, the solicitor can go on to state that you have chosen to assume that her behaviour is attributed to grief, but you don’t trust that she is able to manage her behaviour during the funeral, and is not welcome to attend. Should she attempt to force her way in, police will be called and charges will be pressed.

Out of respect for MIL’s relationship with her, you can send her an invitation to watch a video link of the funeral, (Date and time TBA) but in the future, will tolerate no further contact.

Migrainesbythedozen · 19/02/2022 02:36

My condolences to you OP.

I definitely wouldn't tell her or invite her, it's simply far too great a risk that she will kick off. It's sad that it has to be like this, but she really has done her dash and brought this on herself. If you want, you can tell her after the funeral, tell her where she is buried so friend can visit her grave herself.

iRun2eatCake · 27/02/2022 21:21

@HeyDuddy - how are you all? Flowers

ItsNotJustCharlieWhoSeesYou · 02/03/2022 03:43

Shameful and despicable.

londonrach · 02/03/2022 07:15

Op. Sorry for your loss. X

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