Haven't read the link cause it's the DM but maybe it's the grief?
- She didn't want to look for him in fear of finding his body.
- She kept saying for him to be given back/let go.
- She had said she was encouraging him to go on this holiday, that he'd love it and want to go again.
She was definitely caught up in the hope that he had been abducted or someone knew where he was, delusional hope keeping her going? She broke when she said she "couldn't bear to see him lying somewhere", so I wonder if that was because at that time she could hold onto the hope and the frenzy that was ongoing?
I've never been in her position, I can't imagine how much he doesn't look like her son but maybe at this time she thinks she will be able to confirm it is him. It would definitely be damaging for her

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In saying that, my Gran was Irish and I thought it was normal for everyone to bring the body home and have the coffin laying open in the living room for the two days before a funeral


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At the same time, I can kind of understand the needing to see her son, for one last time, not only to say goodbye and so he isn't alone for a moment, but also for her brain to finally make the connection that has is truly gone and not still missing