World News

Ask Amy: Suicide survivors are devastated by in-laws

[ad_1]

Dear Amy: My husband and I lost our only son, who was 27 and died by suicide.

This happened almost three years ago. We remain traumatized and grief-stricken. We do not have a large family, so support was important to help us cope with this tragedy.

My in-laws live out of state, and they did nothing to acknowledge this tragic death, nor did their children (they are successful adults, both working full time in their respective careers).

Last month, after three years, my in-laws told us they would be stopping in our city on their way to a summer vacation, and they wanted to go to our son’s gravesite while they were here for a few hours.

Once they arrived, they made no acknowledgment of his death, and instead talked about their recent acquisitions (a Mercedes, a beach house, and a boat) and how excited they were about having these things.

I understand that we live in a grief-illiterate society, and that people don’t know what to say, but this behavior was bizarre, hurtful, insensitive, and another stunning blow to our loss process.

Support, especially for a traumatic “out of order” death, is vital to help SOS (survivors of suicide loss) parents cope, and they offered none.

I wish there was a way to express how insensitive and cruel their behavior was, but I don’t know how to go about it.

Any suggestions?

— Grieving Mother

Dear Grieving: I’m so profoundly sorry.



[ad_2]

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button