Dark Humor Floods Comment Section After Grieving Family Goes on Vacation

After a woman posted a video of her grieving family on a "non-refundable" vacation, gallows humor packed the comment section.

Posted to the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, a woman named Katie Kremer shared a video of her family on a non-refundable trip to Kalahari Resort after her brother passed away. The video has over 1.2 million likes and 7 million views.

"When your brother died, but your family had a pre-planned non-refundable trip to Kalahari a week later," she wrote in a comment shown in the video, "So you and your sister promise your grieving mother that you'll still go. it's okay to laugh."

In the video, the family is seen trying to enjoy themselves at the water park by swimming, standing in a wave pool, going down a water slide and tubing in a lazy river.

"This is for my brother Ryan, who would have laughed hysterically," she continued.

"I wasn't planning on making a 'funny' tiktok, I had decided I was gonna let my followers know what happened and then take a break from making content," Kremer told Newsweek. "But my sister and I were really trying to make the most of the trip, and we did enjoy those 2 days at the water park (the best we could). I remember the sound we used was trending, and the idea popped in my head. My sister was excited to do it with me because we knew it aligned with my brother's sense of humor."

She explained that she has been a content creator for two years and loved the idea of including her sister in her TikTok video. They did worry that people would think it was in "poor taste," but they did it as their own version of a tribute to their late brother, Ryan.

Kremer also discussed with Newsweek that she is grateful that viewers saw the humor in her video.

"I was shocked to see how many people have been in similar situations, almost every comment is people relating," she said. "The dark humor seems to be what helps people cope, and I dont see any issues with it. I am using all my healthy coping skills to process this and I'm allowing myself to feel the grief, so I think a little sprinkle of 'dark humor' is good (as long as its accompanied by all the healthy coping mechanisms as well)."

Many dark humor comments were seen throughout the comment section.

"I am so so sorry for your loss but this is absolutely the funniest thing I've seen recently," one TikToker said.

"My mum would've brought my brothers urn if she already paid for his ticket," one TikTok user joked.

"Wow he could of just said he didn't want to go," said another.

A user wrote, "WE'RE GONNA GO BE SAD SOMEWHERE FUN D***IT."

"Did you at least get a refund for his ticket," one asked.

"Y'all saying y'all had a ticket free up?? Invite me next time [for real]," another said.

Many other commenters shared similar experiences.

"My friend died before my family summer trip she was invited to and the first thing I said about the trip was 'she coulda just said no,' one comment read.

"After my grandma passed away, she had already paid for our trip to hawaii with my family and my cousins and we went. the trip was amazing but we fought and cried the entire time," wrote one commenter.

"Mom had a plan to go to FL, died, and so my siblings & I made the trip. We called it Grief Tour 2019. Similar energy," a user exclaimed.

"This happened to me. My grandpa passed and grandma legit scheduled his funeral so we could still make it to Disney the day after," wrote another.

How to get through the grieving process

Are you looking for ways to cope with the loss of a loved one? According to the Cleveland Clinic, grief is different for everyone who experiences it. Here are some tips on how to manage the process:

• Know the difference between grief and depression. Therapists and support groups are available if needed.
• It's OK to be lonely but don't get too isolated.
• Look to experienced friends for advice to help guide you through the process.
• Keep a sleep schedule and make sure to get extra rest if needed.
• Embrace all emotions you feel during grief.
• Don't judge yourself. Do whatever you find helpful to cope with loss.

Update 09/15/22, 6:14 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information and background.