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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Scattering of ashes dispute

10 replies

WorldMap24 · 05/09/2024 10:36

NC as details may be outing.

Partner A lost their mum back in 2016 and she was cremated. Her wish was to be scattered abroad, and so the discussion of scattering ashes wasn't discussed straight away due to finances. It was some time later (maybe 3 years) that partner B mentioned that they should maybe discuss what to do and when RE the ashes, but it was clear that partner A wasn't ready to take that step. It was at this point that the idea of counselling was broached, and partner A did do this for some time, to the point that they felt ready to make plans with the ashes, although they weren't in a rush which was fine. Counselling did highlight that a lot of partner A's traits could be related to their upbringing, specifically that they are such a people pleaser.

For context, partner A didn't have a good upbringing. They were brought up an only child, mother alcoholic, father abandoned them for several years then popped up again as a teenager, was moved around a lot including a move of country, was working from age 13 to help support their mum as money was very tight etc.
One big further detail. When partner A was 5yo, their mum had another child which was put up for adoption. This sibling has gotten in contact with partner A in the past few months and they have been slowly building up a relationship. Sibling lives in another country so no meeting in person has taken place. Partner B very supportive of the relationship. Sibling has expressed a wish to travel to the scattering of ashes and meet partner A for the first time. Everyone on board with this, and plans are loosely made for 2025.
Now onto the dilemma. Partner A's mum had two good friends. They never lived close to partner A in their lifetime so weren't involved in their childhood (or adulthood). They would definitely be described as the mum's friends, not family friends if that makes sense. Both lovely ladies, but not close enough to invite them to our wedding for example - other than the funeral probably haven't seen either of them for 15 years. Partner A let them know that sibling has gotten in touch - they knew about the adoption at the time and partner A wanted to let the friends know that sibling has done well etc. Scattering of ashes was discussed as obviously partner A was asked if they and sibling planned to meet. The friends have now asked if they can tag along on the trip.
Partner A doesn't see the harm and thinks it's nice they want to join. One of the friends didn't make it to the funeral so thinks it would be good for her for closure.

Partner B thinks that scattering of ashes is a family thing (funerals are open / public for anyone who wants to come along, but scattering of ashes are private). In this instance it is also the first meeting of partner A and sibling so it's going to be a highly emotional trip, and so as much as they have no bad feeling towards the friends partner B thinks in this case they have been highly inappropriate and partner A should say no. Partner B did not have a good relationship with partner A's mum when she was living, so also worried that the friends have a pre-conception that partner B is a bad person and feels they would be uncomfortable spending several days with them.
Sibling has been asked for thoughts but hasn't come back yet.

YABU - the friends aren't unreasonable to ask, and partner A should say yes (if sibling also agee's)
YANBU - the friends are being very inappropriate. Partner B should say no to them coming on the trip

OP posts:
Itsanyonesguess · 05/09/2024 10:39

I would say scattering of ashes is a private family thing, not something for other random friends to join in with, especially given the dynamic you’ve described.

LadyDanburysHat · 05/09/2024 10:42

I would say firstly that is not any of Partner B's business. It is not their Mum. However perhaps they are concerned that Partner A is leaning towards people pleasing and not doing what they want to do.

I'm not convinced that meeting a sibling for the first time at ashes scattering is the nest idea either. But it is not my business either.

lovelysunshine22 · 05/09/2024 11:36

Its not partner B's mother so its none of their business who partner A wishes to include!

WorldMap24 · 05/09/2024 11:38

LadyDanburysHat · 05/09/2024 10:42

I would say firstly that is not any of Partner B's business. It is not their Mum. However perhaps they are concerned that Partner A is leaning towards people pleasing and not doing what they want to do.

I'm not convinced that meeting a sibling for the first time at ashes scattering is the nest idea either. But it is not my business either.

Just to clarify, partner A and sibling live in countries very far away. Partner A won't travel to siblings country as it's very expensive to fly to, and the country itself is very dangerous. Sibling is willing to travel but doesn't have lots of money, so the one trip is probably their limit finances wise, and they specifically want to attend the scattering of ashes.

OP posts:
Catza · 05/09/2024 11:39

Partner B should not be bringing their own emotions and opinions into this. If A is OK with friends coming, this is what should happen. What they think of B and how B will feel spending a few days with them is irrelevant.

LadyDanburysHat · 05/09/2024 11:41

In that case I think it's great the siblings will have a chance to meet up. But A should think carefully about whether they actually want the friends there too. But it is still none of B's business. And they don't need to go if it is such an issue for them.

WorldMap24 · 05/09/2024 11:46

lovelysunshine22 · 05/09/2024 11:36

Its not partner B's mother so its none of their business who partner A wishes to include!

That is kind of partner B's point though - if partner A had wanted the friends there then they would have invited them. Instead they have asked to come along which partner B thinks is inappropriate. As partner A is such a people pleaser it is hard to ascertain whether they actually want the friends to come or not.

OP posts:
ARichtGoodDram · 05/09/2024 11:49

The very most Partner B should be saying is "you don't have to let them come if you don't want to".

Thats it.

The rest is up to A.

Even if that's something they later regret, it's their call

GreyBlackLove · 05/09/2024 12:00

Partner B is overstepping and BU. Maybe the friends being there takes pressure off the sibling meeting, maybe they hadn't thought to invite them, maybe it is people pleasing - its ultimately partner A's choice.

Partner B should simply be reminding them they have a choice, and that Partner A has their support either way.

muggart · 05/09/2024 12:00

It's not inappropriate to ask but of course A isn't obliged to say yes.

B is being controlling. It's not up to B either.

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