Former husband of the woman I bought my new house from has passed

[debodun]

It didn't mention her in his obit, just his children and a few other relatives. Is that normal not to mention a divorced spouse in an obit? I believe that is why the house was on the market, because they were separating. I know I had to write two separate checks for the sale price - one to him and one to her.

 

[officerripley]

Is that normal not to mention a divorced spouse in an obit?

I've seen it done both ways here.

 

[Jules]

They divorced/separated for a reason. He obviously made it clear to his family how he felt about her.

 

[debodun]

I knew there was some trouble when I went to look at the house. There was a family portrait on the wall - looks like they had 2 children - and his face was covered up with stickers.

 

[hollydolly]

No it's normal not to mention the spouse if there's been a divorce. They are no longer a spouse of the previous partner.. In fact in this case he may have had another partner, so it would have been very awkward for the name of his ex spouse to be named in his Obituary

 

[Alligatorob]

There was a family portrait on the wall - looks like they had 2 children - and his face was covered up with stickers.

Not a good sign...

 

[Sunny]

I don't think a divorced ex-spouse is ever mentioned in an obituary. Seems kind of gossipy and inappropriate. The ex is no longer related to the person who died, so why mention them? (They are sometimes mentioned in a news article about a famous person who died, but that's more of a biography, rather than an obituary.)

 

[jujube]

When I worked for a major daily newspaper in advertising sales, we all had to take turns coming in early and taking obituaries to appear in one of the later editions that day (yes, remember when big newspapers had more than one edition?)

Usually, it was the funeral home that called in the obit, but sometimes it was the family.

I took an obit from a family member that read something like: "John Jones, beloved husband of the late Mary. Father of John Jr., Thomas, Ellen and Catherine. Funeral Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at ABC Funeral Home."

Ten minutes later, ABC Funeral Home called with an obit that read something like: John Jones, beloved husband of Eleanor. Father of Andrew and Susan. Funeral Tuesday at 2 p.m. at ABC Funeral Home. Burial to follow at Eternal Rest Cemetery."

I said, "Oh, that's unusual that you have someone with the same name on the same day." "No," said the funeral director, "It's the same man. The family of the late first wife and the family of the second wife hate each other so much, they can't get together for a funeral. So the 'first family' is having their funeral first and then the 'second family' is having theirs the next day. Since they have 'possession of the deceased', they get to have the interment."

"Oh my gosh. That can't happen often!" I said.

"You'd be surprised.....very surprised," he replied.

 

[Manatee]

We have not taken a newspaper in 7 years. When my wife passed, my son emailed an obit to friends and family who are scattered all over the country.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I have seen it done both ways. It’s sad when people can’t be adults and get along for their kids sake. My first ex is dead but the other two I participate in family gatherings with them.

My last ex and I don’t have children but I have been in my stepson’s life since he was 8 and we love each other. His mom is dead and us getting divorced was another loss for him. They are now expecting a baby and I am going to be a grandma and babysit when they need me. Luckily his wife has a wonderful family.