Invite or Not to Invite Grieving Relatives to 1st Birthday Party?

My daughter's 1st birthday party will be taking place in about 3 months from now. Sadly I recently lost my cousin and his father (my uncle) within the past 4 months (these are close relatives on my dad's side of the family). My original plan was to invite my relatives from both my mom and dad's side of the family to my child's 1st birthday party in July. I am planning to invite my other aunts and cousins from my dad's side. Is it better to send my greiving relatives an invitation too, or should I not send one to them at all. I don't want them to feel hurt (if I do not send them an invite) and I don't want to be rude (if they have no desire to attend). Please help me in this delima.
Invite or Not to Invite Grieving Relatives to 1st Birthday Party?
Invite them. Then they decide if they are up to it. Maybe they may see it as a great opportunity to spend it with loved ones. I would like to be surrounded by my loved ones. I have a feeling if they go they will end up with a smile they thought they wouldn't get. Enjoy. (My deepest sympathy for your loss)
Reply:I would send them an invitation with a special note inside:





I feel it necessary to celebrate this very special occasion


and did not want you to feel any way left out or obligated.


Our family has all felt this tragedy and would like to try and move forward. We hope you will be able to join us.
Reply:You can either invite everyone from both sides of the family or only the immediate family members or the three of you going away somewhere else.
Reply:do not stress. invite them, they are your family.there loss may be not thought about at your daughter's birthday.like a new beginning and new generation in your family.if they found out later that they were the only ones not invited that would hurt them more.
Reply:Send invitations to all whom you would like to attend. It might hurt their feelings to not be invited.
Reply:You have to invite them it will cause drama if you don't. Plus maybe they need to go out and have a good happy time to get there minds away from greiving. You can't shut them out b/c there greiving.Maybe this is what they need to help themselves get over it.
Reply:Send the invitation. They will probably enjoy being with family. If they turn down the invitation, let them know you completely understand.
Reply:so sorry to hear of your loss. your entire family has suffered together so now its time for them to celebrate together!


please invite them. enough time will have passed for the family to appreciate a get-together to celebrate your little one's first birthday!


its always nice to have something joyful to celebrate. leave it to them to make the choice and when they arrrive tell them how much you appreciate their being there and carry on as usual. no need for anything further.


if you don't invite them you will hurt people you don't mean to hurt, and perhaps cause a rift in the family.





happy first birthday to your young one!
Reply:I would definitely extend the invite. They need to be around family and celebrate life. It's unfortunate what happened. My prayers are with you. They would feel a deeper hurt if they weren't included. Te best way to recover form a loss is to just continue living.Spend time with them let them know they're not alone and are loved.If they're not up to it that's understandable but at least you tried.
Reply:I would send the invitation. They are going through tough times, but they may enjoy the break to come and celebrate your daughter's 1st birthday!





Send it to them, if they want to come they will, if not they won't, but at least they will know you care and are thinking of them.
Reply:Sure you should invite them. It will give them something joyful to look forward to. If they feel it wouldn't be a good idea they may tell you they can't come don't push it just accept there regrets and let them know there will be other invites later. Hope your baby has a great party
Reply:Of course, you should invite them. It isn't helpful that, in their hour of pain, you inadvertently compound their hurt and make them feel unwelcome by not inviting them. Invite them like you would anyone else, but understand if they say no. It could be exactly what they need, right now.
Reply:honestly right now i think the family should be sticking together more than anything!! so yes i would send them and invite, i mean you are just doing your part and if they decide to come then great, but if they dont at least you invited. it really wouldnt look right if you didnt invite them at all, i mean the party is for your daughter(someone who doesnt understand what is going on) so i dont see why they wouldnt be there for her. im sorry about your but now that they are no longer with yall, you need to focus on the people that are still here!! best of luck and i hope that she has a great birthday!!
Reply:I think it best to invite them. The birthday party of a great grandchild is reason to celebrate and might just be the medicine they need to take their focus off of their recent losses. You should contact them a week or two prior to the party date and tell them that it will mean a lot to you to attend.
Reply:First off you are WAY overthinking this. The party is roughly 6 months after the loss of your family member. People greive in different ways.


Secondly, it's a first birthday. I know it's a great time, but you may want to trim your list. Turning 1 is a big thing, but you need to think of your little one. Most kids do not do well in large groups of people. If yours loves lots of attention all for her she will be fine. Most kids, however, get overstimulated and have a huge meltdown.


It would be best to invite everyone you want to come. If they want to stay home that's up to them. Most people who are grieving would love the chance to celebrate. A birthday party is a good way to get their mind off the pain. You may still hear things like" Too bad our cousin had to miss this." But it would still be best to invite everyone and not just those who are not grieving. Have fun! Take lots of pictures for those who couldn't make it.