I unintentionally upset my late stepmum’s family, and I feel really sorry about it. She passed away several years ago, and before that she had moved out because my dad couldn’t cope with her health issues and I think the relationship was strained. Her daughter cared for her, and I later found a letter when clearing his place, from the council saying they were separating and she needed rehousing, though I don’t know the full story.
When planning my dad’s Catholic funeral, in the eulogy I tried to focus on him, and his kind nature and how much he loved his grandchildren. I briefly mentioned he was a loving father and husband but that was it. My parents divorced when I was 2, so he was always a weekend dad. Choosing photos was really hard. I only had a few of me and my dad, and some if those included my mum, so I didn’t feel right using them. I tried to use what I had and included everyone and I did mean to include a photo of my dad and stepmum together, as I had uploaded it but it was accidentally left out with a few others, when the slideshow was edited but I never checked it. I had planned on putting an album together at the wake with all the photos but again I just feel overwhelmed especially as I was also back to work.
Her daughter was understandably upset that my stepmum wasn’t mentioned or shown. It truly wasn’t intentional, just an unfortunate mistake during a really emotional time. I’ve apologised, but I still feel awful. I never meant to hurt anyone.