A Memorial for Ben Huang
Donation protected
On July 12th, my father, Ben Huang, passed away at age 59 from lung cancer.
These past 2 weeks— starting from when my father was hospitalized, to taking him off life support so he could rest— have been the hardest moments of my life.
My dad had been battling non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for four years before he passed. Throughout the entire duration of his battle, he was determined to keep his occupation as a chemist to support and love his family. My father still went to work, trained me in both sports and academics, and supported me during my athletic and extracurricular activities, despite his ongoing illness.
He had the strongest heart I've ever seen and was truly my hero.
It was extremely hard to watch him suffer these past few years, but not once did he lose his optimism. With such bravery, my dad has inspired me to uphold his courageous spirit.
By fighting for so long, my father extended his life by a few precious years— living long enough to attend my high school graduation this year.
He showed his love by teaching me academics, sports, and imperative virtues, giving me the world and more. Because of the extent of his efforts to be an idyllic father, my dad deserves a respected legacy. I'm hoping to give my father a proper funeral and burial, as a tribute to him for all the love and lessons he's shared with me.
That being said, funerals are generally quite expensive, usually ranging from $15,000 - $30,000. Costs include:
- the casket ($2,700)
- the casket vault and vault installation ($2,000)
These past 2 weeks— starting from when my father was hospitalized, to taking him off life support so he could rest— have been the hardest moments of my life.
My dad had been battling non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for four years before he passed. Throughout the entire duration of his battle, he was determined to keep his occupation as a chemist to support and love his family. My father still went to work, trained me in both sports and academics, and supported me during my athletic and extracurricular activities, despite his ongoing illness.
He had the strongest heart I've ever seen and was truly my hero.
It was extremely hard to watch him suffer these past few years, but not once did he lose his optimism. With such bravery, my dad has inspired me to uphold his courageous spirit.
By fighting for so long, my father extended his life by a few precious years— living long enough to attend my high school graduation this year.
He showed his love by teaching me academics, sports, and imperative virtues, giving me the world and more. Because of the extent of his efforts to be an idyllic father, my dad deserves a respected legacy. I'm hoping to give my father a proper funeral and burial, as a tribute to him for all the love and lessons he's shared with me.
That being said, funerals are generally quite expensive, usually ranging from $15,000 - $30,000. Costs include:
- the casket ($2,700)
- the casket vault and vault installation ($2,000)
- renting the funeral home facility ($1,000)
- embalming the body ($995)
- basic funeral services ($2,495)
- purchasing grave spaces ($2,000)
- digging the graves ($1,000)
- engraved tombstone ($6,000)
- constructing monument foundation ($375)
- burial ($100)
- transportation of the hearse to and from the funeral home ($990)
- death certificates and casket flowers ($400)
total: (~$20,055)
Earlier this year with my dad's declining health, I knew it would be my last Father's Day, which was heartbreaking. Furthermore, my father had planned on returning to his hometown in China where he would've said his last goodbyes to family and friends, but he didn't live long enough to make it. He was only 2 months short of turning 60, which we'd all been looking forwards to as a huge milestone.
Even though I'm only 17 and about to enter college, my younger brother is only 9 and will now be raised by a single mom.
- embalming the body ($995)
- basic funeral services ($2,495)
- purchasing grave spaces ($2,000)
- digging the graves ($1,000)
- engraved tombstone ($6,000)
- constructing monument foundation ($375)
- burial ($100)
- transportation of the hearse to and from the funeral home ($990)
- death certificates and casket flowers ($400)
total: (~$20,055)
Earlier this year with my dad's declining health, I knew it would be my last Father's Day, which was heartbreaking. Furthermore, my father had planned on returning to his hometown in China where he would've said his last goodbyes to family and friends, but he didn't live long enough to make it. He was only 2 months short of turning 60, which we'd all been looking forwards to as a huge milestone.
Even though I'm only 17 and about to enter college, my younger brother is only 9 and will now be raised by a single mom.
Additionally, I have a 21 year old brother who is striving to finance his medical career. He chose the medical path as tribute to my father's cancer.
Thus, despite the pain, I knew I had to be strong for both him and my family, so I've been playing a main role in organizing both the funeral and burial to honor my father.
Any donations would relieve a huge part of the financial and emotional burden my family is currently shouldering. My mother will control the finances of the funeral and memorial services.
I would already like to thank the tremendous support my family has been receiving from close friends and family. I am so blessed to have so much love in my life during such a painful time. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Any donations would relieve a huge part of the financial and emotional burden my family is currently shouldering. My mother will control the finances of the funeral and memorial services.
I would already like to thank the tremendous support my family has been receiving from close friends and family. I am so blessed to have so much love in my life during such a painful time. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Organizer and beneficiary
Catherine Huang
Organizer
Acton, MA
Mengqiu Zheng
Beneficiary