A Woman’s Shocking Experience at Her Friend’s Mom’s Funeral
A woman recently shared a disturbing experience she had at her friend’s mother’s funeral, which left her feeling appalled and questioning their friendship. The incident, which she detailed on Reddit’s “AITAH [Am I the A——]” forum, involved her friend Susan, whose mother had passed away. The woman, aged 30, admitted that she did not have a close relationship with Susan’s mother but attended the funeral out of support for her friend. She expressed feeling like Susan only reached out to her when she needed help with her small business, despite claiming to consider her as family.
Upon arriving at the funeral, the woman was taken aback by Susan’s behaviour. The funeral program was filled with images and advertisements for Susan’s small business, and there was even a promotional message by the casket. The situation escalated when Susan delivered a slam poem about her late mother, followed by discussions about herself and her business during her speech. In contrast, Susan’s siblings gave heartfelt and appropriate speeches honouring their mother.
The woman left the funeral feeling disgusted by Susan’s self-centred behaviour and stated that she never wanted to speak to her again. She found Susan’s actions during the funeral to be narcissistic and sociopathic, particularly because of how she turned the event into a promotional platform for her business. Despite understanding that grief can influence behaviour, the woman struggled to excuse Susan’s actions as merely a result of mourning.
Following the funeral, the woman hesitated to answer Susan’s phone calls and questioned whether her decision to distance herself from their friendship was justified, considering Susan’s grieving process. Comments from other individuals on the platform echoed the woman’s sentiments, with many condemning Susan’s conduct at such a solemn event. Some pointed out that Susan’s behaviour seemed premeditated, rather than a product of emotional distress, as she consciously made the funeral about herself and her business rather than honouring her mother.
In reflection, the woman received reassurance from fellow commenters that her feelings towards Susan were valid, especially given the nature of their relationship. They highlighted that Susan seemed to view her friendships as transactional, primarily seeking assistance for her business. One commenter likened Susan’s actions to turning her mother’s funeral into a business-centric TED talk, further validating the woman’s decision to distance herself from the friendship.
The story serves as a reminder of the complexities of human behaviour during times of grief and the impact it can have on personal relationships. It prompts reflection on the importance of empathy, respect, and sensitivity when navigating emotionally charged situations, such as funerals. Ultimately, the woman’s experience sheds light on the boundaries of friendship and highlights the significance of genuine connections built on mutual respect and support, even amidst challenging circumstances.