I’ve know plenty of kids with problematic relationships. The ones where the parent was truly bad, the parent’s death went unrecognized. Indifference is the reaction. Or relief. But there will just be a death notice.
I watch local obits. I've noticed that a few times. "No service". Always wondered.
(One of my uncles was like that. No funeral after he died. Wondered at the family dynamics (he was an alcoholic, I found out later.).
Don't bother wondering! In 95% of all cases, it was the expressed wish of the Deceased that no services be held.
In the other 5% of the cases, it might be a combination of
1) No money available for services;
2) The Bereaved don't want strangers, golf buddies, etc. showing up at the service and peppering them with questions ("So, where's the banquet table?" "Was it AIDS?" "Say, what about those golf clubs Freddie has in the garage? If no one else wants them..."). They may be holding a private (family, only) memorial amongst themselves, but see no need to advertise that fact;
3) The next of kin simply don't want or see the need for services.
4) Religious reasons (the Deceased belonged to some crackpot religion and may even have requested that the "Grand Poobah" himself officiate; the Bereaved would rather avoid that entire issue).
Regards,
Sometimes the loudest notes in a piece of music are the ones not played.