Iyanla Vanzant Explains Skipping Daughter's Funeral

Iyanla Vanzant, a well-known spiritual adviser, has disclosed her reasons for not attending her daughter's funeral. During an interview, she articulated that her decision was rooted in prioritizing her own emotional safety and well-being. Vanzant stated that she did not feel attending the service would be safe or respectful, opting instead for private mourning rituals at home to honor her child.

Vanzant, who has experienced the profound loss of both her daughters, Nisa in 2023 and Gemmia in 2003, questioned the societal expectation of mandatory funeral attendance. She expressed that funerals serve the living, rather than the deceased. Vanzant has previously spoken about her struggles as a mother, describing herself as a "horrible mother" due to balancing her work with an abusive marriage, which impacted her ability to provide emotional nurturing.