A guilt ridden widower searches for his wife’s long estranged mother in order to tell her of her daughter’s death.

To me it's clear why the mother doesn't know she's dead - they're estranged. What I'm wondering is whether the journey will reveal something about the wife or the husband? What will he gain from the journey? Is he atoning by making the long journey? If so why? etc etc.

good luck

"searches". where does he search and why does he have to search? and why doesn't the mother in law not know of her daughter's death? these are just the questions i've come up with. good start though

Agreed with almiiitey. Stakes and antagonist are not clearly defined, so it sounds like a concept that could work, if you tweaked it a little bit.