Help the Rowell Family with Funeral Expenses

Stephan Rowell, a husband, father, and friend, passed away unexpectedly in his sleep. There was no life insurance or savings in place, and the family is trying to figure out how to pay for cremation expenses after a funeral home took advantage of their situation. I'm friends with his daughter, Stephanie Rowell, and am trying to lend the family a hand.

Holihan Atkin Funeral Home wanted $3,300 for a basic cremation. Nobody in the family had those funds on hand, but the body needed to be moved. Atkin's said they could take him away if the family signed a contract, but they wouldn't start until they were paid. They told the family to look into a personal loan and get back with them ASAP.

The next day Stephanie did some calls and found out Holihan Atkin's is charging more the double the local average. They weren't getting a full service: just a direct cremation, obituary, and death certificates. Most places were offering the same for $1500 or less. She planned to pay Atkin's for what they've done and have him transferred for the cremation.

I was with Stephanie when she called Holihan to arrange the transfer and they were HORRIBLE to her. This is the very next day after they said they wouldn't start until paid, but the second she brought up transferring everything changed. They said she could transfer him but they've already done $2600 worth of services. He hasn't been cremated yet. They want that much for moving him, posting an obituary, and filing for a death certificate. Her understanding was they were only moving him until they got paid, but they didn't care. It didn't sound like they were willing to work with her much.

The family hasn't even gotten to start processing their loss. I'm starting this GoFundMe to see if we can lift some of the burden. Please consider helping the Rowell family with this unexpected loss.