A Thanksgiving tale of Giving.

On this day when we have so much to be thankful for, many are reaching others to help others in with random acts of kindness on this Thanksgiving Day. Here are some stories to inspire you.

What’s better than Thanksgiving at the Organic Cafe in Beverly, Mass? It’s when that meal can help those less fortunate enjoy the holiday as well.

The cafe will be hosting its third pay-it-forward Thanksgiving dinner, asking customers to pay what they can for a meal, or pay more than the suggested price of $18.95. Any additional amount goes toward a meal for someone who can’t afford it.

“I love the idea of anybody being able to walk in the door and get this incredible meal, even if they don’t have any money,” said the cafe’s owner, Rawbert Reid, 49, of Arlington. “It’s a great day to reach out to the community and people in need.”

The cafe’s employees are enthusiastic about the program as well. The team that works Thanksgiving Day is voluntary, meaning that no workers are scheduled — employees come in because they want to be a part of the cafe’s service to the community, Reid said.

Caroline Daugherty, 37, of Gloucester, worked the Thanksgiving shift last year and will be working it again this year. She said she finds it encouraging that many people choose to pay-it-forward.

“It makes you believe more in humanity,” she said. “It makes you feel a great connection with everyone around you, especially on Thanksgiving.”

Paying it forward at a doughnut shop.
It seems that generosity flows freely in Mass. It started with a single act of kindness at Heav'nly Donuts in Amesbury, Mass., when the customer in front of Eileen Taylor paid for her order. Taylor returned to the shop the next day and returned the favor, paying for the order behind her. A chain reaction ensued and the doughnut shop saw 55 customers pay for each other's orders.

Ellen DeGeneres gives $10K to waitress who paid soldiers' tab.
A New Hampshire waitress who picked up the lunch tab of two National Guard soldiers affected by the federal government's shutdown was repaid — more than 300 times over — by television star Ellen DeGeneres. Sarah Hoidahl picked up the soldiers' $27.75 bill, but when DeGeneres caught wind of the act of kindness she wrote the waitress a check for $10,000.

Man still handing out $500 tips in brother’s honor.

Seth Collins says his brother’s last dying wish was to spread random acts of kindness to unsuspecting waiters. With the help of his parents, Collins began giving out $500 tips in all 50 states. Once a video went viral, the family was able to raise $60,000 in donations to go toward the tips.

A child gives back to Sandy Hook victims.

After the 2012 shooting at Connecticut's Sandy Hook Elementary School, a 7-year-old boy took it upon himself to start doing 27 random acts of kindness each month in honor of the Newtown, Conn., victims. Eddie Cristobal filled bags with candy and other toys and items with an attached note to the random recipient, asking them to pay it forward.

Lottery winner leaves $10K tip on burger and fries order.

Lotto winner Bob Erb, the Canadian who's offered $7 million to charities and random people since he won a $25 jackpot million last fall, dropped a $10,000 tip on a burger and fries bill for a lucky restaurateur in Saskatchewan. Erb left the tip for the owner of the restaurant after learning the owner's daughter has cancer.Parents pay it forward with lattes after daughter's death.
Before Alyssa O'Neill died, the last thing she asked of her parents was a pumpkin spiced latte. In their daughter's honor, the couple bought 40 lattes for complete strangers at Starbucks, starting a trend on Twitter with the hashtag #AJO (Alyssa's initials). Starbucks employees were so moved, they paid for another 50 drinks to hand out.

Paying for a child’s funeral.

Between now and the end of the year, think about helping a family who has lost a child by donating to their funeral fund. Even $5.00 or $10.00 can make a big difference in whether a family can cope with the unexpected expenses arising from the death of a child or teen. We started funeral fund to help families who either do not have burial insurance or need a boost to cover these expenses. www.funeralfund.com

We hope that these stories of inspiration and caring give you some ideas on how to “pay it forward” during this holiday season.






Nancy Burban 2013


Funeral fund

Etiquette for a funeral service.

A military funeral service in a church.

There is always a reverent etiquette surrounding death and grief. The traditional rites, choice of clothing, and condolences are ways of showing respect to the person who died and to remind us that he or she had a life worth remembering. They also are our ways of offering support to those who miss them the most.

Simple Rules.

Wherever the funeral service or memorial is taking place, basic common sense etiquette takes precedent. Sit quietly and don't get up during the service. The exception is when you have a bad cough or you have to quiet a crying or disruptive child; in both cases, quickly and quietly go to the foyer or lobby. If a eulogy or tribute to the deceased is sprinkled with humor, it's fine to laugh, but do it quietly.

Appropriate Clothing.

The nature of funerals and memorial services varies so widely today that funeral attire isn't limited to just black. The exception may be when you're a pallbearer or honorary pallbearer, in which case a dark suit is the usual attire unless the family requests something else. Funerals are somber events and your attire should reflect that, especially if you are participating in the service. All attire should be clean, neat, and pressed as for any other important occasion.

Arrivals & Departures.

When attending a service, always be on time and enter the house of worship or site where the funeral will be held as quietly as possible. Wait to be escorted to a seat by an usher or funeral home attendant. If there are no ushers, remember that the seats closer to the front are designated for family and very close friends. Colleagues and acquaintances should sit in the middle or towards the rear of the venue.

If you arrive late, enter a row from a side aisle, never the center aisle. If a processional has begun, wait outside instead of trying to squeeze past those who are a part of the cortege and are waiting to walk down the aisle.

Funeral Processional.

When the service is held in a church, the casket or urn is brought in as part of a processional. The Officiate or Celebrant and the choir will lead the funeral procession. Directly after come the honorary pallbearers, two by two, preceding the casket. Pallbearers are assistants from the funeral home or chosen by the family to carry the casket. The family comes next, chief mourner(s) first, walking with whomever he or she chooses. Close friends may follow, completing the procession. 

The family and pallbearers occupy the front rows, with friends filling vacant places on either side. The service begins when everyone is seated.

At memorial services and at a funeral where the casket or urn is already present, there is no processional. In these cases, the service starts after the family and officiate enter and are seated.

About Children.

Children should be encouraged to attend the ceremonies surrounding the death of a family member or close friend to whatever degree they feel at ease. Children learn through these experiences that death is a natural part of life and that wakes are observed when someone dies.

Always consider a child's age before taking them to a funeral, memorial service, or a visitation. Young children can become restless or have trouble staying quiet, so you may choose to have them stay at home with a sitter, or inquire if the funeral home has a “children’s room”. Many do.Older children should sit with their family quietly. 

The children should wear clothing that's age appropriate and similar in style to that worn by adult family members. Generally, children do not wear black. They also should not show up in street wear.

Should children attend funeral services?

The Recessional.

A recessional ends the service, whether a processional took place or not. It's common practice for one or more of the relatives to stop at the back of the church or outside to briefly thank those who have attended the service, with perhaps a special word to close friends.

If the deceased is to be buried following the service, the site of the interment will be announced. A processional of hearses followed by cars will form to drive to the cemetery. Everyone attending is welcome to follow the family to the grave site service unless the burial is private--that is, attended by immediate family only--but no one is obliged to attend. 

The after-service protocol for a cremation or mausoleum interment is the same as that for a burial. The casket is placed graveside at the cemetery, with flowers that were sent to the funeral home or house of worship placed around it. The Officiate or Celebrant says the prayers common to the rite of burial, and a eulogy may be given as well. At the end of the service, attendees may leave as they wish.

Professional Pallbearers "shoulder" the casket.

Nancy Burban 2013

Funeral fund

Jack Benny’s love story survives his death.

Before the comedian died of cancer in October 1974, he made arrangements for a very romantic gesture for his wife, Mary Livingstone. His love survived his death.

Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone

Who was Jack Benny?

Benjamin Kubelsky was born on February 14, 1894 and died on December 26, 1974. He was an American comedian, vaudevillian, radio, television, and film actor. He was also a notable violinist. Hailing from Chicagoland, if you’re over 50 you probably know him by his professional name -Jack Benny. Recognized as a leading American entertainer of the 20th century, Benny portrayed his character as a miser and a grouser.When performing, he would always claim to be 39 years of age, well into his 70’s.

Benny was known for his comic timing, and his unique ability to create laughter with a pregnant pause or a single expression, such as his signature exasperated “Well!” His radio and television programs, popular from the 1930s to the 1960s, were a major influence on the sitcom genre today. Although he came alive under the spotlight, in private Jack was unbearably shy.

Jack Benny was painfully introverted.

When Jack was a young man, he worked in the same film studio as a young lady named Sadie who he wanted to date. He thought she was beautiful, and he longed for her, but he was too shy and embarrassed to ask her out. He couldn't get up the courage so he started sending a single, red rose to her desk with no note attached to the rose.

Every day she received the red rose. Sadie's single red rose.

Finally one day, she asked the florist who was sending her the roses. They told her a young man named Jack who worked in the same studio. She had an idea who he was and she was flattered. 

Finally they began talking and Jack asked her out on a double date with her second cousin Zeppo Marx. Their date was actually to a Passover Seder. Sadie, who was also a comedian soon adopted Mary Livingstone as her stage name.

So Sadie aka Mary Livingstone thought that after they started dating the roses would stop. 
But they didn’t. They kept coming…a single rose every day.

Benny gets the courage to ask Mary to be his wife.

Then they were engaged and Mary thought the roses would stop. 

But they didn’t stop.

He married his true love in 1927 after a whirlwind courtship. 

Surely the roses would stop now.

But, they didn’t. 

They even kept coming after they were married.

Every day a single red rose would show up for Mrs. Mary Benny.

Jack, Joan and Mary.

Even after marriage, the roses continued to arrive daily.

After five, ten years and for decades later a single red rose continued to be delivered to Mary wherever they were as a sign of his love. Mary collaborated with Benny throughout most of his career and they later adopted a daughter, Joan.

Jack Benny dies and Mary is heartbroken.

Then, at age 80 Jack Benny unexpectedly died of pancreatic cancer. Mary was inconsolable.

The day after the funeral, to her surprise, a single rose was delivered for Mrs. Benny.

After several days with the red roses continuing to arrive daily, Mrs. Benny went to the florist and said, “I don’t know if you realize this or not, but Mr. Benny passed away. I know it is kind of you, but you don’t need to do this any longer.”

The florist responded, “Mrs. Benny, you don’t understand. Jack made provisions years ago to provide you a single red rose every day you are alive.” And, the lovely red roses continued to arrive every day for the next eight years until Mary’s death, as a memorial to Jack’s devotion to Mary.

The roses continued until the day she died.

Nancy Burban 2013

Funeral fund

TV show Family Guy shocks fans with Brian’s death.

In Sunday night's mind-blowing episode of Seth MacFarlane's animated hit series, Family Guy audiences were traumatized to discover that Brian Griffin, the canine companion who has been in each and every episode since the pilot, was hit by a car and died.

Brian as seen with his family shortly before his demise.

We’ve watched Brian on Sunday nights since the Family Guy  pilot in 1999, and last night Brian aka the family dog was hit and killed by a car during the Season 12 episode Life of Brian, in which Baby Stewie destroyed his time machine and the Griffins adopted a new pet.

Brian is survived by his loving family, Peter, Lois, Meg and Chris, as well as best friend and sometimes sparring partner Baby Stewie, the tiny genius who was unable to fix his broken time machine in time to save his pooch.

A lifelong liberal, Brian loved a good martini, mocking his own family and writing awful fiction.

Brian’s death made us cry.

Brian’s death did something I never thought Family Guy ever could: It made us feel real emotions. Some even cried. It’s really engaging when a show, in its twelfth season, can still surprise you like that. When Brian looked up at his family and told them, “You’ve given me a wonderful life,” the tissue box emptied.

Baby Stewie’s journey of acceptance was also particularly touching. The family pet should be every kid’s first experience with death, and while it was painful to see Stewie lose his best friend, it was also nice to see him move on. I’m not totally sold on the new pet Vinny yet, but I think he’ll grow on all of us.

Brian died a dog’s death.
Brian may have lived a human life, but he died a dog's death. Brian was pretty much an animated human who happened to wear a fur coat and walk on four legs. He described himself as a liberal and a writer, though his writing was terrible. He also liked to drink – alcohol that is, which didn't prevent him from being best pals with his two-legged siblings Peter and Stewie.

How Brian died.

Brian’s death followed a complicated series of events wherein Stewie destroyed the time machine that had taken him and Brian on multiple adventures.

When Stewie threw the remains of the machine away at the junkyard, they found a street hockey net. They were setting it up in the street when Brian got fatally hit by a bad driver.

Stewie tried to reassemble the time machine so he could go back and save Brian, but he couldn't get the parts.

A month or so later, the still-mourning Griffins decided to get a new dog: Vinny. Vinny won over most of the family by cooking dinner. Stewie held out, but Vinny eventually won him over by talking about how he had lost his owner, so he could understand how Stewie felt.

"You've given me a wonderful life. I love you all," were Brian's final words, spoken to the Griffins in voice of series creator Seth McFarlane. 

Brian was 11.  Or 77 in dog years.

He will be missed.

Nancy Burban 2013

Funeral fund

Can you rent a casket?

Rental caskets are ideal for those choosing cremation with a visitation. They give the mourners a chance to spend time with the deceased and say their final goodbyes.

Why would you want to rent a casket?

Many people do not realize that they can rent a casket for a day or two for a wake, even if they choose cremation. It is the best of both worlds. You can have a cremation and still have a visitation service, just like a traditional funeral. Most families want to say one last goodbye and gain some psychological closure. Rental caskets are ideal for these situations.

What is the difference between a burial casket and a rental casket?

A rental casket looks very similar on the outside to a traditional casket. The difference is that it has no interior and is created with a type of door that opens at the end of the casket to remove the deceased. The cardboard or hardwood interior container also called a cremation casket actually holds the deceased body. 

The body is surrounded by this “shell” which does not come into contact with the rental casket, for hygiene purposes. This cremation casket is cushioned inside the larger, more expensive “rental casket.”  After the funeral services are over, this “cremation casket” is lifted out of the outer rental casket and taken to the crematory. The deceased stays in the cremation casket and is cremated with the casket, not an expensive traditional wooden casket. If you are interested in just renting a casket for a day, your funeral director will be more than happy to explain your options.  

What are the costs of renting a casket?

The average cost to rent a casket is between $750 and $900. The rental casket is designed just for holding a cremation casket and is discarded after several uses due to wear and tear. A lot of care is taken to ensure that the rental casket looks like a new casket in appearance. You will also be required to purchase the cremation casket which fits inside the rental casket and will be transported and used in the cremation process. Rental inserts/caskets cost between $150 and $250 with a pillow, throw and removable cloth.

What are the benefits of renting a casket?

The funeral home will charge you a nominal rental fee that basically covers the cleaning and upkeep of the rental casket. Since there is a limited amount of times that the rental casket can be reused due to wear and tear, part of the cost of the casket is also passed on to you.  Between the cost of the rental casket and the cremation casket you can expect to spend about $1,000 versus the $3,000 - $6,000 average cost of a traditional casket.

If you are considering a visitation with a cremation service, consider renting a casket. It could cost less than 20% of the cost of a traditional casket and you’ll be able to have a visitation service so that your loved ones and the community can say goodbye to your loved one.

Nancy Burban 2013

Funeral fund

Why is the great beyond, beyond comprehension for many?

We are all going to the “great beyond” one day. Death is not an if, it’s a when. No one can escape death, and it seems that few people want to be reminded of it. Even fewer want to sit down, discuss and plan for it.

So why is the great beyond, beyond the comprehension of most people? Why do people fear death so much that even the most organized of us fail to prepare for the inevitable? Do we have these conversations with our family and close friends? If not, why not?

Decide now or it will be decided for you.

Most of us are ill at ease with the subject of our own passing, and that unease becomes obvious to those we love. Our own demise is a subject that is seldom discussed in any depth in our society. Those of us who attend religious services find that this topic may be addressed once in a while, but in a religious context. That’s not sufficient and we need to discuss our mortality and prepare for our death in the same manner that we arrange other significant life events.



Decisions that can be made now in a calm, logistical manner will take on a life of their own if neglected. Procrastination now will cause major dissension among the family members when someone dies. Did the deceased want to be buried or cremated? Who should be notified of the death? How should the obituary be written? What about social media and bank accounts? Who gets the cat?

Start a new tradition. Share the gift of information.

Don’t let grieving family members and friends become overwhelmed with dozens of crucial decisions during a time of great emotional distress. Prepare now.

This Thanksgiving, let’s start a new tradition. Let’s discuss our last wishes with those we love and listen to theirs in return. Let’s honor them in a way that they desire and let them know our last wishes. It’s a gift that we can give each other as we are thankful for another year of health and prosperity.

Create an online, electronic depositary for you and yours.

In taking this to the next level, why not create an electronic depositary to store vital records, and give our executors passwords and permission to access this information upon our passing. There are many websites that can assist you in storing this data.

Here’s some information that should be included:

• A document which details burial or cremation preferences, choice of casket or urn, pallbearers, ceremony options, memorial services, military veteran honors, and individuals to be contacted before the funeral. 
• Name(s) of person(s) appointed Power of Attorney and Health-care Power of Attorney and the Living Will. 
• Executor’s contact information. 
• Detailed list of assets and liabilities. 
• Summary of insurance policies. 
• Location of deeds, mortgage papers, vehicle registrations, loans and credit card information. 
• Information about the decedent’s business and business contacts. 
• Location of all legal documents. 
• Digital Estate planning including all social media platforms with passwords and permissions to close these accounts. 
• A summary of all intellectual properties and their locations ie; blogs and websites. 

Plan now, grieve later.

When it comes time to die, and we all will; make sure that all you have to do, is die. Get beyond the fear of death. Nothing is more certain than death, and nothing is more uncertain than the timing. If you can talk about end of life issues with your family now and discuss their hopes and fears about illness and dying, you will be giving them the greatest gift possible upon their passing and yours.

The Source

Funeral fund

Santa arrived on a motorcycle to celebrate an early Christmas with a teen dying of cancer.

The church was filled to capacity for the funeral Mass for Devin Kohlman; the Port Clinton, Ohio boy whose city put up lights and sang carols to fulfill his wish for an early Christmas.

The town gave comfort to a dying teen.

“Death does not take away our sadness. That’s why we have each other.” Father John Missler said during Devin Kohlman’s funeral Mass on Friday.

Giving comfort also can bring comfort. It’s a shared experience that makes us feel good about ourselves and lets us know that we are not alone.

The town of Port Clinton, Ohio gave comfort and bid farewell to 13-year-old Devin Kohlman who lost his battle with brain cancer on Monday. They came together to give an early Christmas to a teen who would not see one this year.

An Ohio town fulfills a Christmas wish for a dying child.

Devin Kohlman was only 12 yrs. old when diagnosed with brain cancer in the summer of 2012. His family was optimistic at first but then the cancer progressed.

Devin was flown from Cincinnati, where he was being treated, to Port Clinton on Oct. 27th so that he could spend his final days at home. Residents filled the city's main street late at night as Devin was driven home with a police escort. Devin’s final wish was to celebrate Christmas, but he would not survive two more months.

Doctors had told the family of 13-year-old Devin Kohlman that he didn't have long to live so hundreds of residents in the Ohio city of Port Clinton along Lake Erie spent the past few weeks giving him an early Christmas.

His community got to work fulfilling Devin's wish of being home for his favorite holiday. The city put up a Christmas tree, and Santa showed up on a motorcycle. "You'll be the one who gets the moon this year," Santa told Devin during his visit.

The town sang carols outside the family's home, piled tons of shaved ice into drifting snow near his window and decorated a park with colorful strings of lights, reindeer cutouts and a red "Merry Christmas, Devin" sign.

Devin passed away shortly after his early Christmas.

Devin, died Monday afternoon, said family friend Roseann Hickman, but not until his final wish was fulfilled by a compassionate, caring town.

While family and friends gathered for a vigil after his death, an early-season snow fell over the city. It was as if Devin was thanking the community who helped his last wish come true.

"It brought him a sense of joy to know so many people cared," Hickman said.

Thousands of cards from as far away as France and Ireland filled the family's apartment. They had been sent by people who had heard his story, Hickman said.

"He's reminded everybody all over the world of what's important and that's love."

She said her son loved playing sports and being the center of attention. The family once joked that he'd be famous someday, Devin's mother said.

Toys and teddy bears were sent, too. Donation boxes were set up all over the city of about 6,000 people. Devin gave away most of the gifts, making sure his classmates who came to visit him took home a stuffed bear, Hickman said.

"He touched a lot of people," Hickman said. "I hope our community continues to show the love for each other."

The Source

Funeral fund

Candy provides therapy at a Dallas funeral home. She is also a dog.

When the vest goes on over her shaggy black-and-white coat, Candy knows it’s time for work. Candy is a canine therapist at a funeral home. She is also a dog.

A new breed of therapists working in funeral service.

Candy works as a grief therapy dog at Rest Haven funeral home in Rockwall, outside of Dallas, TX. She is only allowed to be a playful puppy when she’s off-duty at the home of her caretaker, Sharon Satterwhite. Candy reports to work daily and takes her job as seriously as the rest of the staff. The Portuguese water dog behaves calmly, within the guidelines of her training.

16-month-old Candy’s behavior is dictated by strict training. She knows when she should comfort guests or sit idly to the side. But sometimes instinct kicks in, like when she wandered off one day to find a man in the middle of making funeral arrangements, and put her head in his lap, easing his grief.

“She knows somehow. She has a sense of people who need a little bit of love,” Satterwhite said.

Candy was trained as a therapy dog for the funeral home.

Candy is just getting started in her work at Rest Haven. As she finishes her training, Candy will take part in the funeral arrangement and visitation process, one of a growing line of dogs used in the funeral business to relieve stressful situations.

“Dogs just give unconditional love, and they will sit there and absorb all your sadness,” said Linda Marler, program coordinator with Baylor Health Care Animal Assisted Therapy. “You can sit and hold onto a dog, and it just makes you feel so much better.”

Funeral director Mark Krause started the canine therapy trend.

The idea to adopt Candy came from Rest Haven funeral director Maria Estes, who heard about a Milwaukee funeral home that had a therapy dog named Oliver.

Funeral director Mark Krause, adopted Oliver in 2001 and said the Portuguese water dog was one of the first in the funeral industry. Oliver gained a following of sorts in Milwaukee, Krause said. Local TV stations did stories on the dog, and he appeared in commercials for the funeral home. Even a routine shopping trip after work attracted a crowd.

Krause’s funeral home used Oliver in funeral services, and he said Oliver helped a couple thousand families over the years.

“He made the place feel warm and inviting,” Krause said. “Funerals can tend to be the opposite.”

Oliver died at age 10 in December 2011 and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published a touching obituary. Krause’s funeral home held a service for Oliver, and Krause said about 150 people came with their dogs or the ashes of their pets.

Krause said he knows of at least “a couple dozen” grief therapy dogs working at funeral homes as a result of Oliver.

Canine therapy started in 1985 at Baylor.

Baylor Health Care’s therapy dog program started in 1985. Now, the Baylor program has 94 dogs owned by volunteers, she said, with 32 visiting sites each week across the hospital system. The dogs can help to relieve anxiety and offer a comforting presence.

Rest Haven welcomed their new employee.

Dewayne and Ann Cain, who own Rest Haven, supported getting Candy and the plan to use her as a full-time therapy dog at the funeral home. Candy came as a puppy from a breeder in Missouri, and Dewayne Cain surprised employees with the “new employee” dressed with a red bow.

Candy was a typical puppy, often getting into trouble. But trainers from Rockwall-based Patriot Paws, which provides service dogs to wounded veterans, have worked with Candy to train her to work in the funeral home.

Candy’s first funeral service was for a pet lover.

The first funeral call for Candy came this spring, after the death of Patriot Paws founder Lori Stevens’ mother. Stevens said her mother had many dogs, and having Candy at the visitation and funeral “broke the ice for everybody.”

Training is just about complete for Candy, and Rest Haven also plans to take her out into the community, to schools, nursing homes and special events, just as Oliver did.

On a typical day at the funeral home Candy makes her rounds through the office, greeting staffers and welcoming people who come to the door.

One day she greeted a man she found grieving while making a loved one’s funeral arrangements. Suddenly he spotted Candy and his face lit up as he petted his new canine friend.

“It makes you smile; you can’t help it,” Satterwhite said.

“Even if you’re smiling through your tears.”The Source

Funeral fund

Ariel White - Funeral Fund campaign

Ariel White passed away at the tender age of four in an accident at home. She choked on some food and was unable to regain consciousness. Her family needs your help to raise money for her funeral and burial. Please donate what you can to help this grief stricken family.

Ariel was a sweet toddler who loved life. She deserves a dignified funeral and burial. We are asking for your help to provide this.

Just a small donation of $5.00 to $10.00 will help us reach our goal. Please share this link with others.

Together we can make dear Ariels' "Homegoing" as special as she was.

Ariel White Funeral Fund Campaign

Funeral Fund sets up the only crowd funding site to aid victims of the Philippine typhoon.

The death toll from one of the strongest storms on record that ravaged the central Philippine city of Tacloban has reached 10,000 people, officials said. 

The extent of massive devastation became apparent and horrified residents spoke of storm surges as high as trees.

Regional police chief Elmer Soria said he was briefed by Leyte provincial Gov. Dominic Petilla late Saturday and told there were about 10,000 deaths in the province, mostly by drowning and from collapsed buildings. The governor’s figure was based on reports from village officials in areas where Typhoon Haiyan slammed last week.

Americans are donating but not to funeral costs.

Americans are opening their wallets and providing financial relief to the typhoon-battered Philippines at a pace that may be the third-highest ever for an overseas disaster, but still not enough to satisfy some needs. And, nothing is being donated to needs such as burial expenses.

As Philippine officials try to get aid to desperate Typhoon Haiyan survivors, relief organizations from the Salvation Army to Mercy Corps are reporting strong initial donations. Corporate donations and government aid have also been robust. But what about the 10,000 victims who will soon be buried in a mass grave if assistance doesn’t come soon? Who is donating to cover these costs? Until now, no one.

Despite the outpouring of generosity, organizations such as the Philippine Mortuary Association (PMA) have not been receiving contributions and they are having a very difficult time covering the burial costs of thousands of victims.

Many donations but in smaller amounts pour in.

The scene is one of utter devastation. There is no electricity in the entire area and no water. Local emergency food stocks have been distributed but stocks are dwindling. The immediate need is water, both for drinking and both for cleaning and we need to bury the dead with a modicum of dignity.

While technology makes it easier to donate, donations tend to be limited to $10 — below the $50 median a typical household gives, and the funeral associations in the Philippines are being sorely overlooked.

Funeral Fund is helping to raise monies to bury the victims.

The Philippines Death Relief has been established by Nancy Burban, Allen Wolford and Renato Dychangco, President of the Philippine Mortuary Association with the help of Funeral Fund to aid the 10,000 deceased victims of this typhoon with a simple burial. Please assist in aiding these victims and their grieving families by donating a small amount for a dignified burial. Just $5 or $10 will be greatly appreciated.

We all need to help these devastated families in any way we can. There are many charities set up to provide food and shelter. The Philippines Death Relief has been set up by Funeral Fund to aid with the burial needs of so many. These victims deserve a dignified burial.

We ask you to help in any way you can.

Nancy Burban

Philippines Death Relief Fund - funeralfund.com

Heaven Anderson - Funeral Fund Campaign

Sadly, Queneesha Anderson lost her baby girl this week. She named her Heaven and that is where she returned to.

This is a very sad time for Queneesha and even sadder is that this young Mom needs your help to raise funds for her baby's funeral needs.

Can you find it in your heart to give a small amount? Even $5.00 or $10.00 will help.

Queneesha lost her baby but she should be able to have a simple funeral service to say goodbye. We hope you agree.

All funds will go to help this lovely young woman bury her baby & have a memorial service for her "Homegoing".

Please help. We thank you in advance.

Queneesha's family

Heaven Anderson Funeral Fund Campaign

Funeral fund