hello bkbond12....
first, i'm sorry for your loss. i've had a recent death in my family and there is never a "better" time to suffer a loss, however, close to thanksgiving and christmas is a "worse" time to go through a funeral.
some of the comments and concerns here at FABO are understandable ... some are a little over the top and not necessary. however, please allow me to offer you a simple suggestion that will allay fears of fraud by FABO readers AND help you out.
please find a funeral home close by your home that you would like to handle the arrangements for your cousin. tell the director that you are seeking donations to help out the family with the costs. then after you have that meeting, post the name of the funeral home, their address and phone number and the name of the director that you spoke with here on this thread. once you have done that, i will contact the funeral home to verify the details of the funeral. if everything checks out during my phone call, i will send the home a check for $500.00 to be applied to your service costs. i will also post on FABO that i have verified the funeral home information and that i have sent some money on your behalf and post the person at the home to send any donations to on your behalf. no funeral home is going to engage in any fraud or theft regarding donations - especially donations solicited over the internet - because such actions would be an interstate crime and a felony under federal law.
every family has faced a crisis and sometimes we all need help. everyone should help their fellow humans if possible. however, when someone is asking for money, you have to be careful. there are dishonest folks out there. by removing yourself from the actual receipt of any money the noted issues are addressed.
i will check FABO regularly for the next five days to see if you provide the funeral home information. if you do, i will follow through with my contribution committment.
my prayers are with your family.
James L. Coster, Esquire
Pittsburgh, PA
"jimharvard" on FABO
