Has anyone noticed siblings growing more distant and/or cutting ties after their last parent dies?

[No Vested Interest]

8. It could be that some siblings stick around while parents, especially Mom, are living

in order to not hurt or disappoint one or both parents.

We all know that many siblings are very different one from another; some of that is inborn personality types, even though they are raised in the same circumstances. The differences are compounded when siblings take up different careers, move away from the family home area, and, most especially, when they marry. In-laws bring a whole new equation to the mix, compounded by the children they have.

Because we would like to have our siblings remain in our lives, I believe it's important to leave doors open to family members; never turn your back on them,(though I realize there are circumstances where that might be necessary, but I'm not speaking to those instances) and to let them know that you will always welcome them and that family is important to you.

When my last parent (mother) died, I was the only sibling of four remaining in our home town. I had seen her through her final days, in fact had been responsible for her living and financial affairs for a number of years. I administered her estate, making sure that each sibling had the family possessions that they wanted and could accommodate. I became the family matriarch, worked on family history (genealogy), which proved to be a way of keeping the connection.

Two of my sibs have since died; the remaining brother calls me every 10-14 days, and will be returning this week for the first time in ca 7 years; at my suggestion, my out-of-town son and wife will come 500 miles to visit with him.

I'm trying to foster a sense of family among my four very different middle-aged children, so that they'll carry on and keep doors open when I'm no longer here.