Help Amanda Foster's Family with Funeral Expenses

My name is Sarah, and Amanda was my sister. Since the unexpected passing of our father in 2017, I became the sole caretaker of Amanda, who lived with both intellectual and mental health disabilities. At the time of Amanda’s passing she left behind her 15-year-old son, Ethan. Amanda helped raise Ethan through the love and support of close family. Amanda lived her last year and a half in an individual residential alternative (IRA) through an agency, south of Albany, NY. We were very close, spoke daily and visited frequently. For many years, Amanda was relatively independent, with some assistance of NYS Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the support of our father. Amanda maintained her own guardianship, even after her move into an IRA.

When Amanda passed away unexpectedly, I was responsible to quickly decide how her remains would be handled and the extent of her services. In total, her funeral expenses were $9,000. Amanda had funds marginally in excess of this amount, but I was not aware that two thirds of her funds were in a pooled trust that of which dissolved upon her death. I learned this information after authorizing the preservation of Amanda’s remains for services and calling hours. Amanda’s money available only covered one third of the total cost. Currently, the remaining balance of Amanda’s funeral is $6,000.

Amanda was 43 years old, two weeks shy of her 44th birthday, when she passed of a pulmonary embolism. Amanda and I had talked about using her money in the trust for a variety of things such as vacation for her, but also discussed funeral planning for the future. Unfortunately, her money was never utilized for her joys of life or her transition into the afterlife. If you would like more information on the trust Amanda had utilized, you can find it here . Any donation to support the commemoration of Amanda, by way of offsetting the funeral expenses, would be most appreciated. Excess funds donated in excess of the goal will be set up in a trust for her son Ethan. Our goal is to complete the coverage of her funeral expenses by February 2024. Again, thank you for your time, consideration and empathy.