Funeral costs

Jimmy had type one diabetes. At 57 years of age he was forced to take early retirement and sign up for social security disability.  That wasn't his life plan but nearly 30 years of diabetes had led to diabetic kidney disease. Soon after, he had to begin kidney dialysis, three times per week. 
During this time he was approved for a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) because he had had numerous 911calls and ER trips for dangerously low blood glucose levels. Unfortunately,  Medicare does not fully cover the cost of this life saving technology and he could barely afford the supplies on his limited, fixed social security income.  
After a fall on the way to dialysis last December, he was struggling with walking and maintaining his balance. The decision was made in late Feb., to enter a long term care facility for physical and occupational therapy for a temporary time. Who knew that 2 weeks later covid19 would shut everything down and he would be isolated from his family and stuck there for the next several months.  His health declined significantly during that time, and in Sept., after a lengthy ICU stay, his family made the decision to move him to a different facility.  Dialysis is very hard on the body. But despite that, he was doing better at the new facility, until November.  He was very high risk and very vulnerable for covid and the family had taken every measure to keep him safe and prayed for his safety. He was taken to the hospital on November 15th (just 10 days after he turned 60)  for pulmonary edema and difficulty breathing. The following morning it was determined that he was covid-positive and was placed on the covid floor at the hospital. It seemed like her was holding his own but three days later, he quickly got worse and  he was transferred to ICU, placed on the maximum flow of oxygen and still struggling to breath.  A ventilator and central line would be necessary to sustain life and his prognosis was very poor. Within about 24 hours of the move to ICU, our beloved Jimmy was gone. Just 60 years young and with so much life left to live, Covid was just too much for his already exhausted body.  Unfortunately, he did not have any life insurance or any funds prepared for burial. His family has now learned he dropped his policy when he had to rebudget his monthly expenses after going on social security disability and Medicare.  He should have never had to make those choices. 
He had worked his entire life in the medical field and medical service industry helping others, before having to sign up for disability.
 There just wasn't enough money for him to maintain the premiums or his CGM supplies and he allowed the policy to lapse, unbeknownst to his family. 

While his condition was not good there is no doubt in our minds that his untimely death was brought about quickly by this horrible pandemic virus. He was tired. He had fought for so long. Now there's a huge hole in our lives. Jimmy was a very outgoing person who never knew a stranger and he loved life and loved living life to the fullest. He would have given the shirt off his back or his last bite of food to a stranger. His family is doing all they can to cover the burial expenses and any donations in lieu of flowers and to help offset the expenses would be much appreciated. You can donate here or directly to Phelps and Son Funeral Home in Paintsville KY.