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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To hate that funerals take place weeks after the death?

457 replies

Bloodybrambles · 15/02/2025 10:45

I have the funeral of a parent this week. They had organised every part of their funeral and as their death was expected, there wasn’t no postmortem. However, between the funeral directors, the church and the crematorium, the earliest date we could have was just under a month.

As my parent had been ill for quite a few months, I had to put life on hold just incase that I was needed/having to do a trips back to my home town. Also didn’t feel in the mood to be living life normally with everything going on.

Life in this country continues after death, back to work, kids needs to be parented, trips to the bowling alley etc. Can’t say life is completely back to normal but I’ve made peace with them passing and it’s no longer consuming my thoughts constantly. I know I’ll never be 100% back to normal but I feel like I’ve been happy again this last week or so. I’ve been singing along to the radio again.

What I feel like I’m dreading is the funeral. I feel like it’s picking at a wound that’s started to heal. My parent wanted a very traditional funeral, no expense spared, very somber, no ‘celebration of life’ type affair. DH says what they’ve asked for is completely normal, for people to be sad and mourn for them.

I’m just rambling now, but I wish we could have had this in the first week. I’ve already had to make peace to continue waking up everyday for my family. I don’t want to grieve again, especially in a very public, and ceremonial type affair.

I know I have to put on my big girl pants and go. This isn’t about me. But if I could choose to have a 24 hour bug I’d take it.

OP posts:
Porcuporpoise · 15/02/2025 10:47

Yanbu We had to wait 8 weeks for my dad's funeral a couple of years ago because of the lack of crematorium slots. Awful.

user4621786753 · 15/02/2025 10:48

It’s a 6 week wait here - far too long.
Seemed to be something else blamed on Covid and then has become the norm.

Klovos · 15/02/2025 10:48

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TSHconfusion · 15/02/2025 10:50

is this in England? I am in NI where funerals are usually 3/4 days after the death so I cannot imagine waiting a month! I’m sure that is so hard to deal with as a lot of people cannot properly grieve until after the funeral. So sorry for your loss

x2boys · 15/02/2025 10:50

I agree my mum ,s funeral us next week it will be nearly a month since her death at that point

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 15/02/2025 10:50

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no-one books a funeral ahead of someone actually having died. That’s ridiculous.

Catza · 15/02/2025 10:51

The option of not going is there if you need it. A couple of us missed on our loved ones funerals because it was just a bit much. My family are luckily very loving and understanding and it's never been an issue.

ChristmasPudd1990 · 15/02/2025 10:51

There was a recent discussion on Jeremy Vine on radio 2, about 3 weeks ago. Apparently due to extra checks because of Shipman. Before,they only needed one Dr to sign off a death of it was expected ,now it's 2? Not sure why the delays now though,when this happened many years ago?

Printedword · 15/02/2025 10:51

With both of my parents it was a six week wait. Neither planned what they wanted for themselves. My father and I planned my mother's funeral. It was quite traditional. I planned a slightly less traditional funeral for my dad.

I think the process can be therapeutic and you will feel more closure afterwards even if it feels an ordeal at the time. Sorry for your loss and take care OP

Klovos · 15/02/2025 10:52

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 15/02/2025 10:50

no-one books a funeral ahead of someone actually having died. That’s ridiculous.

Not with that attitude

Loveduppenguin · 15/02/2025 10:52

Yeah to be honest I think that’s very long drawn out! Here in Ireland it’s all done within 3-4 days.

Fencehedge · 15/02/2025 10:52

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Are you stupid? Or trying to be funny?

GermanBite · 15/02/2025 10:53

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What, you mean book the actual funeral before the person is dead?!

IsTheOffDutyDoneYet · 15/02/2025 10:53

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Are you high? Where did you not see that the OPs parent had already planned everything out?? You can’t book a slot before the death occurs. Jesus tonight. Learn some manners too, rude.

OP, I am very sorry for your loss and having to go through a wait. You will be able to get through this, I promise. Be kind to yourself.

ChristmasPudd1990 · 15/02/2025 10:53

I did wonder why John Prescott's funeral took so long? There was another celebrity death that took a while until the funeral took,but forgot who that was.

x2boys · 15/02/2025 10:53

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How csn you plan the funeral ahead?my mums wasn ill since before Xmas, she was 82 and frail so the death wasent unexpected but she gould have potentially. Lingered for weeks.

Meandhimtogether · 15/02/2025 10:54

How come some people have to wait up to 6 weeks.
Yet one of our Jewish friends was buried within 2 days.

Bloodybrambles · 15/02/2025 10:55

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The funeral was completely organised prior to the death.

All what then needed to happen was the funeral directors to liaise with the Church and the crematorium to find a date and time that worked with both.

OP posts:
Colacubegirl · 15/02/2025 10:55

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Maybe be less insensitive next time and plan to work on the way you talk to grieving adults.

JimHalpertsWife · 15/02/2025 10:55

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Maybe be proactive next time and read the OPs post.

Bloodybrambles · 15/02/2025 10:55

GermanBite · 15/02/2025 10:53

What, you mean book the actual funeral before the person is dead?!

Maybe a bit like a driving test. Could always push it back if you’re not ready? 😂🫣

OP posts:
BeaAndBen · 15/02/2025 10:55

It’s horrible, isn’t it. Mum died before Covid but there was still a 4 week delay. Everything felt in limbo.

Klovos · 15/02/2025 10:56

IsTheOffDutyDoneYet · 15/02/2025 10:53

Are you high? Where did you not see that the OPs parent had already planned everything out?? You can’t book a slot before the death occurs. Jesus tonight. Learn some manners too, rude.

OP, I am very sorry for your loss and having to go through a wait. You will be able to get through this, I promise. Be kind to yourself.

I'm sorry if your upset about something in your life, but no need to take it on me. Not that I mind a lack of decorum, but it's derailing the post

GlimmerOfGold · 15/02/2025 10:56

Muslims have to bury their dead ideally within 24h. It can cause difficulties if there is a post-mortem etc.

Jeezitneverends · 15/02/2025 10:56

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What? Book a slot before the person dies?🙄