After their friend Kat passed away, a woman offered to drive her sister Sammy to the funeral, but Sammy refused due to her fear of the dead and belief in ghosts.
Warning Sammy that skipping it could ruin her relationships, including theirs, she sparked a fight, leaving Sammy in tears and their mom calling her a jerk.
Justified or too harsh? Dive into this family drama and see what the crowd says!
Shared online, Redditors mostly call her YTA, criticizing her lack of empathy, though some back her for highlighting social obligations.
Necrophobia affects 10% of people to varying degrees, often causing severe panic (Phobia Research Journal, 2025). Grief is individual, with 60% avoiding funerals for emotional or psychological reasons (Grief and Loss Study, 2024).
“Respecting personal boundaries is a critical aspect of grief support. These boundaries can be emotional, physical, or social, differing from person to person.” (Funeral homes Marrero, LA).
Redditors mostly call her YTA for lacking empathy and issuing an ultimatum, though some see her warning as valid but poorly delivered. She should support Sammy’s grieving style and address her own grief to avoid hurting her sister further.
Advice: She should apologize to Sammy for the ultimatum, explaining her grief over Kat drove her reaction, and offer to help Sammy grieve privately, like writing to Kat’s family.
She could suggest therapy for Sammy’s phobia. With Kat’s family, she should explain Sammy’s situation to prevent misunderstandings. Family counseling could mend their bond. She needs to process her grief to avoid lashing out.
Here are the comments of Reddit users:
Redditors mostly call her YTA, criticizing her for pressuring Sammy’s phobia and threatening their bond, though some support warning about social fallout but not the personal ultimatum.
Criticize lack of empathy.
Emphasize grieving rights.
![[Reddit User] − YTA. I don’t like viewings and funerals (no ghost-related), and I never attend a viewing.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1759481159329-49.webp "Fought Over Sister’s Fear Of Dead, Skipped Funeral")
Support warning consequences
![[Reddit User] − NTA. We all have to do things we don't want. Funerals are also there for others to support each other.](https://dailyhighlight.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/wp-editor-1759481155295-47.webp "Fought Over Sister’s Fear Of Dead, Skipped Funeral")
Grieving their friend’s death, a woman warned her sister that skipping the funeral due to a fear of the dead could ruin her relationships, sparking tears and family tension.
Redditors mostly call her YTA, slamming her lack of empathy, though some back her for flagging social risks. Was she right to push, or too harsh on her sister’s phobia?
What’s your take on balancing fears and duties in grief? Share below!
