Gransnet forums

AIBU

Funerals

(165 Posts)
Razzy Tue 04-Jan-22 18:25:49

Hi. My mother-in-law has died, she was ill for a long time and her family rarely saw her as they live some distance. My OH is arranging the funeral and asked me about dates. I told him I had only one really vital day I needed to be at work, as we have the whole team in and discuss and plan major changes. It is particularly important this year. I told him to let me know potential dates. This evening he has told me the funeral is going to be on that one day. Not only that but he says we are going to go down the day before and spend the day/night in a hotel. We never normally would stay the night when driving there. Of course I know I will have to go to the funeral but AIBU to be annoyed? My daughter is upset as she will miss 2 days of school instead of one.

dogsmother Wed 05-Jan-22 17:48:47

Like I said Germanshepherdsmum, I make no apologies and yes I do understand responsibility. Perhaps it depends on perception. We have no knowledge of one another’s responsibilities do we……

Chewbacca Wed 05-Jan-22 17:40:51

silverlining48 if you scroll back to 21.43 yesterday, you'll see that it was me that mentioned ACAS, not Razzy and I mentioned it in the context of their advice 're bereavement leave.

Chewbacca Wed 05-Jan-22 17:37:27

Somebody's common sense is someone else's insanity We know! wink

Hithere Wed 05-Jan-22 17:34:10

Curly

Would you also refuse to address his constraint and compromise?

Curlywhirly Wed 05-Jan-22 17:15:44

Well, personally, and I know we are all different, I would be devastated if my husband said he couldn't attend my mother's funeral as he had an extremely important work commitment - I relied so much on my husband's support during those awful weeks before and during the funeral. I can't imagine him letting me go to that funeral without him.

MayBeMaw Wed 05-Jan-22 17:14:09

silverlining48

The op mentioned she works for ACAS an organisation which seeks conciliation between employers and employees so would imagine they might practice what they preach.

No she didn’t and she didn’t.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 05-Jan-22 16:42:48

I remember predictive text once inserting ACAS into something I had written. Probably what happened with OP.

poshpaws Wed 05-Jan-22 16:30:07

Bibbity

I would just state

"As previously mentioned I can not make that date. I do hope everything goes smooth. Let me know if I can help at all but I will not be attending. Either day"

^
This.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 05-Jan-22 16:28:22

dogsmother you have absolutely no idea of what I was doing which meant I had to delay my mother’s funeral. By about two weeks. When I say I had no choice I mean it. Unless you have been lead lawyer on a highly complex major and time-critical project you can’t begin to understand. It is not a matter of work being more important. I doubt you have ever been in the position I was so don’t presume to judge me. My mother certainly wouldn’t have, nor did anyone else.

silverlining48 Wed 05-Jan-22 16:23:01

X post GSM

silverlining48 Wed 05-Jan-22 16:22:28

Apologies but your post of 4 January 21.56 refers to ‘ACAS in relation to your employment and the important meeting.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 05-Jan-22 16:20:48

21.56 yesterday?

dogsmother Wed 05-Jan-22 16:20:48

Germanshepherdsmum I make no apologies here, I do understand responsibility. My view remains, that my mothers funeral would take precedence and if my partners meeting and daughters school were more important to them so be it.

Razzy Wed 05-Jan-22 15:39:10

What? I never said anything about Acas! I don’t work for them!

aonk Wed 05-Jan-22 15:33:12

I am very surprised that some posters are advising the OP that she needn’t go to the funeral however inconvenient the day may be. These family occasions are so important. Last year my DD lost quite a lot of money changing a flight so she could be at a family funeral. This gesture was her own idea and much appreciated by all involved.

silverlining48 Wed 05-Jan-22 15:19:38

However to resolve this sorry saga by changing the date if possible might be worth trying,

silverlining48 Wed 05-Jan-22 15:15:10

The op mentioned she works for ACAS an organisation which seeks conciliation between employers and employees so would imagine they might practice what they preach.

silverlining48 Wed 05-Jan-22 15:13:16

Indeed indeed

Hithere Wed 05-Jan-22 15:08:58

Somebody's common sense is someone else's insanity

MayBeMaw Wed 05-Jan-22 15:02:49

Thank you (and others) for common sense.
All this “what iffery” is verging on hysteria.
Yes, leavevof absence will be discretionary but that is a technicality, no decent employer would hold her to it.
She is not a High Court judge in a high profile trial or a brain surgeon as far as I know, and few people are indispensable .
Children’s grades not irrevocably blighted by a day or two off school - but why do I bother. Anything sensible , plus a lot that is not, has been said already.

MissAdventure Wed 05-Jan-22 15:02:38

Yes, but people don't tend to consult with you to check if its convenient that they die.

Razzy Wed 05-Jan-22 15:02:00

Just to be clear, I told OH I would check the date. He went to work (his choice) and I presumed we would discuss the funeral, arrangements etc when he got home. That evening I told him the date and he told me he’d already arranged everything and it was that same date. He refused to change it or even discuss it. Then he said we will be going for 2 days and staying overnight. I know how hard it is, I have lost close friends and parents too, and done various arrangements.

Germanshepherdsmum Wed 05-Jan-22 15:01:30

Oh Chewie, taking a day off work can definitely impact on your career. You can’t just decide to have annual leave when it suits you regardless of pre-existing commitments.

MissAdventure Wed 05-Jan-22 15:00:41

Oh dear oh dear.

Hithere Wed 05-Jan-22 14:58:40

So OP would have to go to court because her husband refuses to change a date.

Yes, very reasonable (sarcasm intended)