Funeral Expense for Jason Savakinus
Donation protected
As many of you are finding out, this past Saturday (06/11/2016) my husband, Jason Savakinus, passed away in his sleep.
Jason leaves behind a wife, a 2 yo son who has autism, a 11 yo stepson, a 16 yo and a 22 yo step daughter, and a 2 yo grandson.
Jason was an outstanding marine who worked with heavy equipment. He toured in Afghanistan in 2010. He was a kind hearted person who struggled both internally and externally as many of our fellow servicemen do
He was diagnosed with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and frontotemporal dementia. He had multiple testing that showed impairment in executive functions (lack of impulse control, safety awareness, planning, etc). Over the past 6 months, his diagnosis seemed to be progressing at a rapid rate. Due to the multiple diagnoses, we were unable to get life insurance on Jason.
Today I spoke to the funeral director and it will cost $8000+ to give the burial I would like to give him. I can cut corners here and there, but even that will cost $7000. I am completely devastated that I can’t afford any of this.
Jason was always the first person to want to help someone in their time of need. He deserves a funeral that can honor him in a beautiful way.
Additionally, we were a family who depended on my husband’s income as I was his VA caregiver and our son has autism and requires many appointments for speech and play therapy. And like many of you, live paycheck to paycheck.
With Jason’s passing we have lost a significant portion our income. Before we can attempt to apply for assistance, we have to determine a cause of death through autopsy and toxicolgy. According to the investigator that could be 6 months to a year.
Then once we determine a cause of death, we are not sure we even qualify for certain assistance as it may not be service-related, or/and he may not have met the length of time required for the family to receive benefits, or they may find it doesn't apply due to other reasons (ie. willful misconduct). There is no straight forward answer when it comes the the VA.
A really good friend to my husband suggested I make a go fund me page.
He was proud to be called a marine. He was the first to go up to any service member and thank them for their service. He told me some pretty crazy stories about his friends in the marine corp. I wish I could meet you all.
I was having to do this alone with no input or assistance from anyone other than my immediate family and a small number of friends.
But with that said, All his marine buddies have stepped up asked what they could do and if they can do more. Let me tell you all, Jason would be so proud of his brothers in arms. I said I understood the concept of the brotherhood, but actually until now I really didn’t. I have felt so much caring and compassion from his fellow service members than anyone. Thank you all so much for watching over your own.
So if anyone can help with any amount, it is very much appreciated.
I love you guys,
Tracy Savakinus
Jason leaves behind a wife, a 2 yo son who has autism, a 11 yo stepson, a 16 yo and a 22 yo step daughter, and a 2 yo grandson.
Jason was an outstanding marine who worked with heavy equipment. He toured in Afghanistan in 2010. He was a kind hearted person who struggled both internally and externally as many of our fellow servicemen do
He was diagnosed with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and frontotemporal dementia. He had multiple testing that showed impairment in executive functions (lack of impulse control, safety awareness, planning, etc). Over the past 6 months, his diagnosis seemed to be progressing at a rapid rate. Due to the multiple diagnoses, we were unable to get life insurance on Jason.
Today I spoke to the funeral director and it will cost $8000+ to give the burial I would like to give him. I can cut corners here and there, but even that will cost $7000. I am completely devastated that I can’t afford any of this.
Jason was always the first person to want to help someone in their time of need. He deserves a funeral that can honor him in a beautiful way.
Additionally, we were a family who depended on my husband’s income as I was his VA caregiver and our son has autism and requires many appointments for speech and play therapy. And like many of you, live paycheck to paycheck.
With Jason’s passing we have lost a significant portion our income. Before we can attempt to apply for assistance, we have to determine a cause of death through autopsy and toxicolgy. According to the investigator that could be 6 months to a year.
Then once we determine a cause of death, we are not sure we even qualify for certain assistance as it may not be service-related, or/and he may not have met the length of time required for the family to receive benefits, or they may find it doesn't apply due to other reasons (ie. willful misconduct). There is no straight forward answer when it comes the the VA.
A really good friend to my husband suggested I make a go fund me page.
He was proud to be called a marine. He was the first to go up to any service member and thank them for their service. He told me some pretty crazy stories about his friends in the marine corp. I wish I could meet you all.
I was having to do this alone with no input or assistance from anyone other than my immediate family and a small number of friends.
But with that said, All his marine buddies have stepped up asked what they could do and if they can do more. Let me tell you all, Jason would be so proud of his brothers in arms. I said I understood the concept of the brotherhood, but actually until now I really didn’t. I have felt so much caring and compassion from his fellow service members than anyone. Thank you all so much for watching over your own.
So if anyone can help with any amount, it is very much appreciated.
I love you guys,
Tracy Savakinus
Organizer
Tracy Savakinus
Organizer
New Bern, NC