Disinter Curtis Standlee from Hart Island, NYC

The Death Advocacy Project is raising funds to disinter Curtis Standlee, a 33-year-old who passed away in New York City Unfortunately, circumstances led to his interment in a massed grave on Hart Island. Together, we can right this wrong and bring him home to those who love him. We will ensure that his remains are scattered in the mountains of Arizona alongside his late mother where he belongs.

Curtis spent so much of his life alone and does not deserve to be alone in an unmarked grave with hundreds of others, thousands of miles away from his loved ones, and on an island only accessible by appointment, by ferry, and allowing visits only four days per month (and only for relatives).

Curtis's Story

Curtis was pre-deceased by nearly all of his family and passed away in March of 2022. As no next of kin was able to be notified, Curtis remained in the custody of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for nearly 200 days before his burial on Hart Island, the potter's field of New York City. At the time of his death, he was homeless but living in a residential vocational rehab. He was in good spirits, optimistic, and enthusiastic about how he was turning his life around.

The Plan

With a great sense of humor and a heart of gold, Curtis was prepared to take his own life experiences and use them to positively inspire and encourage others, working toward certification to become a CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor). His ultimate goal was to help individuals in recovery choose a vocation and support them with right siding their lives. He was focused on how he could use his own life experiences and struggles to help others.

Curtis's mother passed away when he was nine years old. He was given to the custody of his now-deceased father. Curtis begged to live with a beloved relative, but his father would not agree to it. Due to childhood trauma and a predisposition to addiction, Curtis struggled with substance abuse and made some poor choices as a teenager, portrayed by many as a troublemaker. His trauma was neither considered nor addressed, and he was wrongfully arrested for armed robbery and incarcerated for seven months, always maintaining his innocence. Eventually acquitted of the crime, due to the psychological and emotional impact of his wrongful incarceration, in addition to public humiliation and fallout from this incident in his hometown - including a relative of his in law enforcement who was part of his arrest - Curtis left home to start his life anew. Most of us came to New York City to follow a dream and create a new life for ourselves. Curtis is one of us. Can you help?

Here's how:

Donate: Your generous contribution will go directly toward the costs associated with Curtis's disinterment, cremation and a proper and dignified disposition. A Hart Island disinterment is complicated and lengthy there's a lot of red tape but I am dedicated to completing this final act of kindness for someone who deserves it.

Share: If you or anyone in your life has been faced with the loss of a parent as a child, addiction, homelessness, recovery, or injustice within the legal system, I implore you to spread the word about this campaign and Curtis's story. The more people who know his story, the closer we get to bringing Curtis the peace he deserves.

Offer Support: If you cannot contribute financially, please consider volunteering in your area with those in need - and talk to them. If you encounter a street homeless person, humanize them and say hello. Ask them if they need anything. Pay them a compliment. Most of us are one unexpected event away from being homeless: losing a job, the death of a loved one, a natural disaster, fire, or a bad turn of luck can be catastrophic and utterly destabilizing, especially for those who don't have savings or a family to turn to for help.

If you are interested in finding out more about the Death Advocacy Project, please visit www.deathadvocacy.org.i