Support with David Harris funeral cost

Hi, my name is Clarissa Harris.

My brothers body was found deceased in his property in Notting Hill London (All Saints Rd) on the 3/9/23. However, as his sister I was only contacted by the MET police on the 21/9/23.

This has come as a shock to myself and my other brothers. We don’t know what happened to our kind, gentle, loving sibling, but what we do know has broken our hearts. There is an ongoing investigation and at this stage we have no closure. But what we do know is truly distressing.

We received the interim death certificate on the 9/10/23. We then found ourselves in a situation three weeks of learning about his passing sitting in a funeral directors booking a funeral for our brother with not knowing how we can fund this. There is just no help as the investigation is being conducted with a ‘open mind’ with two possibilities.

We have gone for the basics, however, this to our shock has come at a final cost of £4,825. With the cremation service on the 6/11/23. 50% has to be paid before the service and the full amount to be paid by 21 days after the service.

I have contacted everywhere possible to see if we can get some support, but sadly I have come to the end. I’ve just been passed around, or told I cannot get any help as the investigation is being conducted with an ‘open mind’ . I am so confused by this especially with the circumstances around his death.

There has been no support at all, not from the MET police, no family liaison officer despite being informed I had been assigned one. I was simply informed over the telephone whilst at work about my brothers passing, and I have just been left. We have had to keep chasing and simply get a bit more of information about the circumstances about his death which causes more distress. But still no help!!

Any support to help my brother to have this funeral would truly take some weight of our shoulders right now.

If there was a chance that the supported amount went over we will be giving this to the community of Notting Hill London as the neighbours and community have been impacted around the circumstances.

The community kept raising concerns to the police and others a few weeks before he was found, but the concerns were ignored every time.

This is the community that my brother loved, and the same community that have already been through so much.

The community that also suffered whilst my brothers body was laying in the flat, and their calls of concerns to services were ignored.

And even still this amazing community have been so kind to us since my brothers passing with emotional support.

I have heard so many comforting stories about my dear brother; kind soul that cared about others, would never walk past without saying hello, would check in with others, jumping in to help make teas and coffees at the local food bank, being a face at the Salvation Army and so many other local organisations. He was referred to as; “our Dave”, “he was one of us”, ‘everyone knew Dave”.

I will forever be grateful to all in Notting Hill, my brothers home.

He really did love people, and cared about others. His comfort in life was knowing that others were OK.

I know times are financially hard for many. Therefore, even just by sharing is supporting.

Love to all. Hug your loved ones tight, and always tell them you love them.

Thank you

Clarissa