Need Help With Transportation and Funeral Costs

Hello, my name is Katana Mcphee Burgess, I’m really hoping setting this up will help my family with the costly expenses for his transportation, memorial funeral, and cremation for my eldest brother, Michael.

My brother was one of a kind, he was unforgettable to all, and even in his last moments of life surrounded by family and loved ones, his jokes and sayings were remembered and retold, putting smiles on our faces. He was always filled with a goofy personality that would brighten everyone's day, and he carried a loving, youthful soul and spirit that would lift the room. He had three biological kids, but if you asked him, he’d tell you he had seven beautiful children that filled his heart with joy and love.

Although Michael had a rough past, he had no problem dancing and singing to Justin Bieber, playing games and cracking jokes, and goofing around with his family and friends. All of my siblings learnt from a young age that Michael carried all of us, we didn’t have the strength so he made himself stronger to have it for us.

I remember, one of the toughest times of my life, I was thirteen, Michael took me away from the situation, grabbed my stuffed animal, and walked me to the store. He bought me candy to calm me down and let me cry into his shoulder and told me ‘It’s going to be okay,’ until I could properly speak.

Until Michael, adults in my life didn’t do many things with me unless I begged for days and persuaded them. He was the first adult to offer me a game of basketball, to make me go swimming with him, and to have movie nights every few days of the week with goodies and snacks.

I used to think his nicknames for me were embarrassing and childish, but now I miss hearing him say them with all my heart. I miss when he grabbed my hand as if I were still four. I miss it when he would wake me up early in the morning, dancing to some of his favorite songs. We all miss him so much, but we know he will always be there for us, and we know the immense amount of love he held and will continue to hold for each and every one of us.