Urgent Help to Cremate and Honor Sammie's Memory

I've been reluctant to do this; however, I don't know what else to do or who or where I can turn to. So if this is in bad form, or simply not the place to do this, I sincerely apologize in advance.

As I stated before, my sister, Sammie (Mary), passed away unexpectedly on November 11th. Her passing has hit and affected me more than I could have imagined and has left a void in my heart and soul that I don't know how to mend. She wasn't supposed to be gone. I spoke with her the day she had gone to the hospital when they had discovered a clot in her leg and in her aorta. She was waiting to be transferred to Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, UT. She was a bit nervous and scared, but I was able to calm her and we talked about when she would get home and put this behind her and that she would be alright. She told me she had been able to get back on to work at a previous employer and was glad to be going back to work after having been without work due to a prolonged cold that had left her so tired and fatigued. We laughed some and when they arrived to transport her to the other hospital, we said goodbye and told each other how much we loved one another. That was the last time I spoke with Sammie, heard her voice and laughter.

Shortly after arriving at Intermountain Medical Center, Sammie started to or had a small stroke. They imaged her head and discovered another clot in her brain. She was rushed into neurosurgery and successfully removed the clot. However, Sammie had to remain heavily sedated. Swelling started again in her brain and she had a massive dibilitating stroke affecting the left side of her body. The swelling continued and the Neurosurgeon called me around 3am to inform me what was happening, discuss quality of life if they performed a surgery to remove part of her skull and relieve the swelling, and what her wishes would be given how she would be if the surgery was performed. I was told she would be bedridden the remainder of her life, unable to use the left side of her body and greatly reduced use of the right. She would require round the clock nursing care the remainder of her life, unable to feed herself and unable to perform basic functions for grooming, dressing, and bathroom needs, and communication would be very difficult for her, but they could save her life. He asked if she would want this. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and though I know I did what she would have wanted me to do, I feel so responsible for her passing. I told the doctor that I know my sister would not want to live like that. I know she would have been so angry with me if I let them perform the surgery knowing what the surgeon had just told me, and I know that Sammie would have done whatever she could do in order to end her life if I let them perform the surgery. I told the doctor not to do the surgery, that i know this is what Sammie would have me do. Saying those words ripped apart my heart like nothing has ever done to me in my life. The doctor informed me they would keep her comfortable and monitor her, but no life saving intervention would take place and that Sammie would likely depart by later in the next day. I hung up and fell apart.

The swelling continued in her brain to the point that it began to actually reshape her brain. On the 11th of November that afternoon, my sister, Sammie, passed away.

Organ donation contacted me and asked about donating her organs and we permitted this. Her liver and both kidneys were transplanted and saved the lives of 3 individuals. Her tissues were also donated in hopes of benefitting others and so Sammie enabled something great to happen from her passing.

I checked into several places about cremation and settled on Serenity Funeral Home as the best, dignified, and affordable option available to me. It's the most basic plan they have and the only extra I added is the Urn I chose for her instead of the plastic box they would have provided. It put the cost around $1600. Speaking with the Bishop of her church, he was able to take care of $650 of the bill. This left me with needing to come up with about $1000 that needed to be paid this past Friday so Sammie could be cremated and at rest. I have done all i could think of and asked of family, relatives, and friends for any help or advice I can get to help me come up with the remaining bal, but also letting them know they are under no obligation to pay anything, as I know finances are so tight with people and not wanting to pressure anyone or have them think I was trying to profit off my sister's passing. I have not been able to come up with anything to go towards the remaining balance due and the funeral home said they would contact me on Monday to see where things are at, but that they cannot move forward with Sammie's cremation until the bill is paid in full. As of now, they have Sammie in their care. I am on disability and don't get paid until the end of the month and do not have any money at this time. My sister, Kathy, whom I live with, has suffered 2 strokes for sure and quite likely a 3rd, all in the past month. She also has no extra money, only what will hopefully cover the remaining bills coming through.

So I've written this on facebook, hoping and praying that I can get help or be pointed in the right direction for help to pay the balance of the cremation bill and be able to have Sammie cremated and at rest. If anyone is able to help me, I don't need the money to come to me, it can go to the funeral home to be applied to the bill. I am only trying to get enough to pay the balance of the cremation bill and nothing more. I will find a way to get to UT and collect my sister and anything else i may need to when I'm able. I simply need help getting my sister to rest and any help that is given or advice and direction provided is so tremendously appreciated and not taken for granted at all. Sammie is at Serenity Funeral Home in Bluffdale, UT. The gentleman handling things for Sammie is Caleb Cash, a funeral director with Serenity.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for anything anyone or ones is able to do to assist me. And I apologize again if I've posted this where i shouldn't have or said anything that could have offended anyone in the least.