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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Do I cancel my holiday to go to my dad's funeral?

187 replies

Maidenpink · 01/09/2022 14:28

My relationship with my mum, dad and brother broke down around 6 or so years ago. It was a long time coming. I stopped being the one to visit and maintain connection. I decided I didn't want to keep bringing my young kids into a house with so much volatility, addiction, lack of boundaries. It was adversely affecting my mental health and ability to look after my own family. So we ended up very low contact (birthday cards only, even that dwindling). Had years of counselling. All very painful.

My dad died yesterday. My brother called me to tell me. I am booked to go on a cruise on Sunday with my husband and two kids. This is a big deal holiday for us (who are traditionally campers). We could I think claim money back via insurance (although we wouldn't get this holiday again as it was a good deal coming out of Covid). Initially I thought I had to cancel the holiday no question. But some friends have gently pointed out that I could still go. Missing his funeral wouldn't be the end of the world given our relationship had broken down and I hadn't seen or spoken to him in nearly 7 years. No date for funeral yet. It will be small, prob crematorium. It may not even be next week so I could end up cancelling for nothing anyway.

Now I'm not sure what to do. I have to decide by tomor at the latest. I realise there is no easy answer to this. Would really appreciate input from other estranged adult children.

OP posts:
GretaVanFleet · 01/09/2022 17:40

Maidenpink · 01/09/2022 16:24

@GretaVanFleet I wasn't told he was dying. He had been in and out of hospital for ages apparently.

I never know with my family, nothing is ever straight forward with them.

I think the odds are greater that you would regret going rather than if you didn’t.

WavePlant · 01/09/2022 17:49

Zonder · 01/09/2022 15:17

Tell your family when you're away and also for the funeral to be after that date. There is some room for negotiation when setting the date for a funeral, I have found. And if they don't take your holiday into account I think you are off the hook anyway.

This, you’re saying you want to go and when you’ll be back and if they rush it for when you’re not there you’ve got your answer. They won’t get a date for next week at a crematorium anyway

StinkerTroll · 01/09/2022 18:01

Go on the cruise, I've just got back from my mums funeral about 2 hours ago, it's been about 3.5 weeks since she died and that was without any delays, I'm sorry for your loss, its rubbish x

Bard6817 · 01/09/2022 18:18

Am in a very similar position. Estranged from parents and sibling in Scotland too.

About ten years ago, i estranged myself, i couldn’t get the double standards and lack of interest in me. Fam went to london for a long weekend and despite assuring me they would meet for a meal, i heard from them at the last minute on a sunday night, could i get to Bayswater from kent. They knew the distances and commute required. Their excuses were ‘have to get back for the dog’.

Followed 3 years of therapy, distancing and eventually uncut them off fully. A few years later mum died. I went to her death bed, standing over said death bed - dad blamed me for her cancer of everything (40 a day smoker.)

I went to her funeral. Haven’t had contact except with my sister once who got in touch - but i replied to say, wish you all the best but im not in a place to have you in my life. Strangest thing i’ve ever hung onto - after the funeral in the family home - there were dozens of pics of my sister and their dog and none of me.

I have no pics or any momentos of my mum. Nothing was offered…

Dad is actually step dad, Sis is half sister.

When he dies, i won’t go. I don’t want any of the estate which in Scotland i’m entitled to 50% of. Would rather it went to my two nieces, my sis kids.

I believe that because of the therapy, i was able to move on, it wasn’t easy (understatement of the year) but i won’t let them reset the clock so’s to speak, because i simply won’t and can’t go back to that place.

So, for you, don’t go unless absolutley feel it’s the right thing to do for you. Forget ‘face’ forget respnsibility, forget who will care or notice…. You have to bear the consequences of going which could be a lot worse than not going.

Wishing you all the best.

Dinoteeth · 01/09/2022 18:29

StinkerTroll · 01/09/2022 18:01

Go on the cruise, I've just got back from my mums funeral about 2 hours ago, it's been about 3.5 weeks since she died and that was without any delays, I'm sorry for your loss, its rubbish x

Sorry for your loss.
That's a very long time by Scottish standards for a funeral.
The longest waits I have ever had for a funeral is 14 days and 21 days both had enquiries into the deaths.

Lozzerbmc · 01/09/2022 18:32

Sorry for your loss but deffinitely dont pass up the cruise with your family.

Wildflowerbeauty · 01/09/2022 19:15

Sorry for your loss . Go on holiday and enjoy it with your family who deserve you . If the funeral takes place whilst you are away , you could always say your goodbyes in your own way .

Maidenpink · 01/09/2022 19:16

@Bard6817 Sorry for what you've gone through. X

OP posts:
iRun2eatCake · 09/09/2022 19:48

How are you @Maidenpink ?

Darbs76 · 09/09/2022 20:26

If you’d like to attend the funeral (and that’s entirely your choice, certainly no judgement from me) then let your brother know. Most funerals take a good couple of weeks anyway, add in the new bank holiday for the Queen’s funeral a week Monday and it’s more than likely the funeral will be 2-3wks. Vicars / crematoriums will ask about dates so they can work around your holiday if you’d like to go. I wouldn’t cancel

angelmoon · 24/09/2025 11:17

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 01/09/2022 14:31

Don’t cancel. If you think you would like Tobago, tell your family your dates for when you are away and ask them to arrange the funeral for when you are back.

It's fine to not cancel the holiday, if you aren't that close. It's not fine to expect those who have cared for your dad to rearrange the funeral around you. I'm having a similar problem, except that I'm the caregiver and the son has disappeared and not cancelled his holiday. His son hasn't even picked up a phone in the last three years so no way am I going to arrange a funeral around him.

LIZS · 24/09/2025 11:50

Deleted as zombie thread and reply not now relevant.

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