My lifelong friends Jaimee and Shannon lost their beautiful mom, Connie, this week.

In the middle of their grief, they were thrown into a situation no family should face. Unexpected and overwhelming costs just to bring their mom home and honor her wishes for a simple cremation.

When Connie passed, the hospital arranged for her to be taken to a funeral home without giving the family time to research and choose. That facility’s fees are far beyond what they can afford, and now, to transfer her to a more affordable provider, they must pay a $600 transportation fee immediately, plus additional costs for cremation and required paperwork.

They’ve found a compassionate funeral home willing to handle the cremation for $1,050, but they cannot proceed until the transfer fee is paid. If this isn’t handled quickly, daily storage fees of $95 will begin, adding to the already overwhelming financial strain.

I’m organizing this fundraiser for Jaimee and Shannon because they’d never ask for help themselves, but I can’t let them carry this alone. All funds go straight to them to help with what’s ahead.

Tye funds will be used to help them cover:

• $600 transportation fee to release her to the affordable provider

• $1,050 cremation cost

• Fees for certified death certificates and other required documents

• A small Celebration of Life gathering to honor Connie’s memory

My first priority is to cover these urgent costs so Jaimee and Shannon can bring their mom home without the crushing weight of debt.

If we are blessed to receive more than the goal, any extra funds will go toward helping Jaimee and Shannon with other immediate expenses during this difficult time, such as household bills, groceries, and basic needs so they can focus on grieving and remembering their mom.

Connie was a beautiful, loving woman who always put her family first. She was like a second mom to me and she was loved beyond belief. She asked for nothing fancy, just a simple cremation and for her daughters to be spared unnecessary hardship.

Any amount you can give will help lift this sudden financial weight. If you aren’t able to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser to help spread the word.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading, donating, and supporting this family in their time of need