Mom Criticized upon Sharing Video of Father’s Day Family Picnic at Husband’s Grave: ‘That’s Disgusting'
Mark Rosenthal passed away 13 years ago, but his family still celebrates him and visits his gravesite. When they started posting videos of their happy moments by Mark's grave, the Rosenthal family started receiving online hate.
Death is undoubtedly a sad and tragic event. However, the Rosenthal family has kept their spirits up despite losing the head of the household 13 years ago. Undoubtedly, the pain hasn't been easy, but they keep their dad in their minds as much as possible.
Robin Rosenthal lost her husband, Mark Rosenthal, in 2010. Following his death, Robin raised their children, Sam and Emma, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Although Mark is no longer in the picture, Robin makes sure her kids keep their father's spirit alive in many ways. Not long ago, they began posting online videos of their family spending time by Mark's grave. In June 2022, they posted a throwback Father's Day lunch, camping by the grass, which they called a tradition.
Screenshot of a comment on the family's Instagram post | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
The short clip featured Emma and Robin enjoying their sandwiches. "Father's Day lunch with Dad!" Sam said in the footage before asking his mom where Mark was. "Down there, in the ground," Robin replied.
Screenshot of a comment on the family's Instagram post | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
As they happily ate, Robin told her husband to have a fry and tossed pieces toward his grave. The post received a diverse set of reactions from their followers, including one who said, "That's Disgusting."
Screenshot of a comment on the family's Instagram post | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
"She threw a fry on the ground like he's a dog," a second comment read. Meanwhile, another Instagram user called the video "tacky." The family received backlash from many social media users for their posts.
Screenshot of comments on an Instagram post. | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
The Rosenthals posted an updated Father's Day celebratory picnic by their father's grave in the same year. Robin, Sam, and Emma looked happy as they sat on picnic blankets while eating pancakes.
Screenshot of a comment on the family's Instagram post | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
The post featured Robin in high spirits, telling the camera they were filming from the cemetery on Father's Day with Mark as their guest host. "Happy Father's Day, Mark," she said while looking at her husband's grave. "Give them hell."
Screenshot of a comments on the family's Instagram post | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
In another video of the same celebration, Robin told the camera that she had already eaten her half of the pancake and showed Mark's half. She then proceeded to greet him again before tossing the food on his crypt.
Screenshot of a comment on the family's Instagram post | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
This year, the Rosenthals posted another Father's Day celebration, marking their 12th without Mark. Their share included a video of their picnic set-up, where they brought a griller for the hamburgers and had all the other ingredients spread out.
Robin was again the star of the clip as she talked about performing at the gravesite. She joked about the massive audience at the site, calling them "deadbeats."
The Rosenthals are also active on TikTok, with over 600,000 followers. In one of their posts, Robin played the viral "Couple's Quiz" beside her husband's grave. She would joke around from time to time but also reveal certain things about their relationship.
According to Robin, her husband first said "I love you" in their relationship. Between them, Robin is also the funnier one and the social butterfly.
Mark and Robin tied the knot in 1986. They attended Robin's mother's wedding in Palos Verdes, California, a few months before. During the event, the duo danced to a live band and had a sweet photograph, which Robin shared with her TikTok followers.
Screenshot of a comment on the family's Instagram post | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
The couple shared many beautiful memories as husband and wife, alongside their two kids. They sometimes share snippets of their family online, including when they went strawberry picking in Montgomery, Pennsylvania. Sadly, Mark passed away from a heart attack.
Screenshot of a comment on the family's Instagram post | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
Since gaining fame on the internet, the Rosenthals were met with people who disagreed with their approach to mourning. Many found their ways disrespectful and creepy. However, many also appreciated their enthusiasm and humor despite difficult circumstances.
Screenshot of a comment on the family's Instagram post | Source: Instagram/TheRosenthals
One of their followers even hoped their loved ones would act similarly, laughing and making jokes by the grave after they passed. Another believed Mark was a wonderful husband and father and that his family continued to celebrate his life and include him during events.
In a similar story, a New Zealand tattoo artist faced backlash after posting his work placing tattoos on young children.