My name is Edward Simmons, and I am raising funds to lay my little sister, Doretha Sim, to rest with dignity. Our mother has been gone for some time, and the responsibility to make arrangements has fallen to me. I am thirty years old, an assistant manager working a standard 9–5, five days a week. I rent a townhouse, keep a simple life, and I do not drink or smoke. I am also a father of three—two boys and one girl; my oldest is sixteen and in high school, and one of my younger children is in elementary school. Day to day, I manage to keep my household steady, but funeral costs are far beyond what I can carry alone. I am asking for help to cover $8,000–$9,000 for Doretha’s funeral and related expenses so that we can give her the respectful farewell she deserves without putting my own children at risk of falling behind on the basics.

These past days have been a blur of phone calls and hard decisions. I have reached out to see whether any program or financial aid could help, only to learn that for this kind of need, there is essentially no assistance available. My siblings—there are four of us in total, two sons and two daughters—are not contributing, and the costs cannot wait: the funeral home requires deposits, transportation must be arranged, and the service needs to be scheduled and paid for. While I have a job, a bank account, and a roof over my family, I also have normal monthly obligations that do not pause just because we are grieving. Our household expenses average about $3,500 a month, which includes rent, utilities, food, and the day-to-day needs of growing kids. I also maintain our cars so I can get to work reliably; the car is not a luxury—it is how I keep income coming in and how I will handle all the errands that come with a funeral. I am not asking for help because I am careless; I am asking because a funeral is a large, immediate expense that comes at the worst possible time.

My goal is to raise $8,000–$9,000 (the more the better) to cover the essential costs of Doretha’s funeral. Funds will be used for: (1) funeral home services and professional fees; (2) casket or urn; (3) burial or cremation costs, including plot or crematory fees and required permits; (4) transportation of remains; and (5) a modest service so family and friends can say goodbye properly. If donations exceed the core funeral expenses, any remaining funds will help stabilize our household in the short term—prioritizing rent, utilities, and insurance—so that the funeral does not push my children into hardship. I will keep careful records, request itemized invoices, and share updates so supporters can see exactly how your help is used. My commitment is simple: every dollar goes toward honoring my sister and keeping our home secure during this painful moment.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for considering a contribution of any size. If you are unable to give, a share or a kind word in the comments still helps more than you know. I work hard, live within my means, and am doing my best to carry this responsibility with respect—for Doretha, for my kids, and for the life we are trying to build. Losing a sister is heavy; doing it without the means to bury her properly is heavier still. With your help, we can give Doretha a peaceful, dignified farewell and keep my household steady through the weeks ahead. From my family to yours, thank you for standing with us and helping me honor my sister’s life.