My mother-in-law secretly stole my son’s ashes

The mother said that her whole family had been devastated by her six-year – old son, Tom, who died of heart disease just four months ago.

But when she learned that her mother-in – law had taken her son’s ashes behind her back, her grief was dealt another blow, turning them into necklaces.

The mum, sharing her story on Reddit, said she was shocked by the turn of events.

“My son, Tom, passed away four months ago, at the age of six,” she said.

“He had a heart condition that robbed him of living his childhood like any other kid.

“My husband’s family were directly involved in my son’s care, they were always there.

“But they never stayed at the hospital so I could go home and get some sleep, they stopped their kids from being around him, they did not help at all.

“When my son passed away, they felt free to take his belongings, clothes, toys and blankets.

“And my mother-in-law insisted we have a burial service but I chose to have him cremated and kept his ashes in an urn inside my bedroom.”

The mom said that her mother-in – law soon began to drop hints about her intentions for the ashes of her son.

“My mother-in-law started visiting regularly and she started talking about making ashes pendants for me, my husband and her family as a way to carry Tom’s memory with us and keep him close wherever we go,” she said.

“I was stunned and I didn’t know what to tell her.

“I remember telling her that this was never gonna happen, and that all those family members have their kids with them and that I was the one who lost a son.

“She started arguing talking about how important Tom was to her and the family, and that my husband would agree with this fair treatment instead of keeping an urn in my bedroom and refusing to let the family share their grief.

“I told her there was no way I’d say yes.”

When the mourning mum went out of town to spend time with her own family, the mother-in – law eventually got her way.

“I returned after six days [and] found that my son’s urn was gone,” she said.

“My husband showed me a necklace that he said had my son’s ashes in it and pulled out another one that belonged to him that was in the shape of a cross.

“He told me that his mum made necklaces for me, him, her, brother-in-law with our son’s ashes, and paid money to get it done so we could all have Tom with us.

“Turned out he allowed his mum to take the urn while I was gone, and his defence was that his family cared so much for Tom and they all deserved to keep a memorial necklace as a way to remember him.

“I yelled at him that this was my son not theirs, she had no right to take the urn and do what she wanted with it especially when I told her no.

“I was so mad with him, I couldn’t even look at him.

“I took my things and went back to my family and refused to take the necklace that [she had spent] ‘thousands’ on.

“I called her and berated her for her awful behaviour and told her she was selfish and inconsiderate for taking my son from me like that.

“My husband is trying to apologise but I can’t accept he did this and betrayed me.”

Other online users were stunned by the mother-in-law’s actions – as well as her husband’s.

“I would be livid, I would be looking into legal action against your mother-in-law and I would be filing for divorce,” said one.

“I’m so sorry they happened to you, what awful people.”

Added another: “She stole your son’s remains with your husband’s help and passed them around like candy.

“I’d cut all of them out for the blatant disrespect of you and your son.”