LynnP
I can not fathom how you feel. It is heartbreaking that your SIL had no respect for her husband familys need. Is it possible that the suicide made an open casket impossible? If you want to maintain any sort of relationship with the niece I suggest letting it go and trying to just think of they were trying to do the best thing possible for them. ~hugs~

Note to everyone, the lesson is to get an ironclad will in order so that nothing happens to your remains or estate that you don't want to happen. It's a terrible way to learn a lesson but yet it's there anyways a lesson.