A woman who was left devastated after the passing of her beloved father has gone viral after sitting with his cardboard cutout at the dinner table.

Destiny Saez-Nales was left heartbroken after her father, Eddie Saez Jr, suddenly passed away back in January 2022.

The death of the father-of-seven rocked the whole family, in particular his mother, Nancy, who struggled to copy with the passing of her beloved son.

In a bid to keep him close to the family, Nancy decided to get a cardboard cutout made of Eddie, so they could sit with him at the dinner table.

Now, the heart-warming gesture has gone viral after Destiny, 19, shared a clip of her enjoying a meal with her late father on TikTok, racking up 3.7 million views and over 823,000 likes.

"The scream my grandma let out after the call still rings in my ears [to this day] and the cutout is helping her cope, which is all that really matters," Destiny, from Lake Wales, US, told NeedToKnow.Online.

"My grandma had gotten the cutout to have him sit with us during Thanksgiving, as the last time the whole family saw him in person was when he surprised us [for the holiday] last year.

"At first, it scared me and at times, still does, but I do like having it around though as it seems to feel like he's still near us."

In the clip, Destiny is shown sitting at her dinner table with the cardboard cut out of her dad.

Users flocked to the comments to share their reactions, with many left shocked and confused.

Brigette said: "Start telling him your problems and all the things your mom won't let you do."

Lola said: "NO I THOUGHT HE WAS REAL TILL I READ THE CAPTION." [sic]

One person wrote: "Omg that is terrifying, sad and hilarious all at the same time. I’m so sorry for your loss though."

"No lie that pic would freak me out too just put a coffee next to him or Red-bull," said someone else.

"yall ain't gon give him a plate??? he hungry," added someone else. [sic]

"Ya no that would really creep me out," added someone else. [sic]

"People heal and cope with/from grief in different ways. so sorry for y'alls loss," added another user.

Another person added: "Awwww lol I felt so many emotions in this video. You look just like your dad though," [sic]

Destiny said: "My dad was a kind man. He did a lot for the community he lived in and would always host events at his store.

"He would give away book bags, pay for people's haircuts, would rent bounce houses and host events for kids.

"He would pull over his car and hand out money to people sleeping in tents.

"My dad was a father of seven kids that he was devoted to and loved with his whole heart.

"He was a big family man and would always make time for family."

Eddie sadly passed only 19 days before Destiny's 18th birthday and four months before she graduated high school.

According to local reports, the father-of-seven was murdered in his own shop on 3 January 2023 due to an alleged robbery.

While nothing of material value was stolen, the teen and her family say they've been robbed of their loving dad.

She added: "My dad was a big jokester and I know if he was here and saw the cut out he would be having everyone laugh from the jokes he would crack.

"One day I was at my grandmas eating dinner when I looked up and saw my 'dad' sitting across from me.

"I playfully nodded at the cardboard when I thought I would make a video to make some of my family laugh.

"So I made the TikTok and posted the video so my family could see it.

"My family loved the video remarking on how much he would have loved it.

"People on TikTok have been tagging their friends in my comment section on how they would do that for them if they pass.

"Some people call it unhealthy, some call it really sweet, my favourite comments are the ones calling him DJ Khalid.

"I know some people think it's weird, but I really do not care.

"My grandma sets a coffee at the table in front of him in the mornings.

"Sometimes she leaves his favourite snacks in front of him.

"She will tell him good morning and kiss his forehead.

"There are times when she will speak and have conversations with him in the mornings – it's like he's not really gone."

ENDS

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