Gregory Joackim Funeral Expenses

Our good friend Gregory Joackim passed away unexpectedly on February 4 at the young age of 52. He leaves behind his 87-year-old mother whom he was caring for.

My name is Peter Krajewski and I am a very good friend of Greg and his family. Our friendship goes back to 1991 when I met Greg while we were both going to USC’s School of Cinema-Television. When Greg’s father passed many years ago, Greg called me to be by his family’s side to help with the initial arrangements. By chance, I was the first person to find out that Greg had passed and have tried to again help his mother during this very trying time.

Four days before he died, Greg had a very routine outpatient surgery. He was sent home and was feeling fine. Like many of you, I first noticed that something wasn’t right when my text messages to Greg started coming back green (indicating that his phone was possibly turned off). I had been texting and calling him for several days but it wasn’t until a couple of days later that I thought that I better call the landline number at the house. When I called, I was surprised that the line still worked. It had been years since I last called the landline. When Greg’s mom answered the phone, our world changed. Greg was gone.

Greg died in the doorway of his home, four days after his surgery. He had been complaining of having difficulty breathing and collapsed as he was leaving to go to the hospital with his mom. His mom was right there when it happened and held him as he lost consciousness. She called 911, but the paramedics were unable to resuscitate him.

I am so grateful that I still had that landline number and that his mother answered the phone when I called. Greg had been doing everything for his 87-year-old mom. With him gone, she was lost. Since that phone call, myself and some of Greg’s friends have been able to get food to her and have supported her in any way that we can. We have also tried to help with the rescued animals that Greg has now left in his mother's care.

Unfortunately, neither Greg nor his mother have any money to pay for a funeral. There are no savings and there was no insurance. There are no other relatives.

With his mother’s blessing, we are asking for contributions to give Greg a proper funeral.

The funds that we will raise will go towards Greg’s funeral.

If we raise the full $15,500, we will be able to give Greg a proper burial at the same Forest Lawn cemetery where Greg’s father is buried at.

It is our belief that Greg would have preferred not to be cremated. However, if we only raise $9300, Greg will be cremated and the urn placed in a smaller plot at the Forest Lawn cemetery.

Finally, if we only raise $1250, then Greg will be cremated and his remains will stay in an urn with his mom for the time being. There would be no funeral in this case.

Any amount that is raised above these thresholds would go directly to support his mother and her care.

I hope you are able to support Greg and his mother during this difficult time and help us give Greg a proper funeral. Every donation is truly appreciated. Thank you.

May he rest in peace.