Would it be rude or unprofessional of me to ask my boss not to celebrate my birthday this year?

As some of you may know, my mom died around Thanksgiving time last year. I am coping, but I am still experiencing periods of great sadness. I happened to be born on my mom’s birthday, and our birthdays were always a time that we spent together. As the day gets closer, less than a month now, I am getting more and more emotional about it. I am not sure what my reaction will be when the day actually comes.

For birthdays, my work usually lets us choose a cake, we circulate a card, then we all gather in the late afternoon for some cake and well-wishes. I’m not sure if I will be able to handle my birthday this year and I do not want to start crying (I’m tearing up now just thinking about it) as my coworkers sing Happy Birthday to me.

Would it be rude to request that my coworkers do not acknowledge my birthday this year? Is it unprofessional or rude? I do not want to seem like I am not appreciative of the efforts they make to celebrate birthdays and foster a friendly working environment.

Opinons?