Jay Bakker says he stayed away from father Jim Bakker's funeral after a final goodbye

Televangelist Jim Bakker was buried on Monday. One familiar face was missing from the service: his son Jay Bakker.

A message instead of an appearance

Jay is a pastor himself. He posted a video on Instagram that was meant to be shown during his father's funeral. In it he described their bond as a "complicated relationship" and explained why he chose not to attend.

He said he had a chance to visit his father before he died and the two shared some meaningful talks. Because he got to say goodbye face to face, he felt there was no need to be at the funeral.

Thanks to supporters

Jay is the son of the late televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker. In his post he also thanked people who have backed his family. He said those who urged others to give the family room to grieve had been "priceless."

He acknowledged that his view may be hard for some to understand. He wrote that he gets why some people struggle to feel any sympathy at all.

His father's final days

Jim Bakker died last week while receiving hospice care in Missouri. No cause of death has been shared yet.