Friend's brother passed away, need advice..

[Vega]

Ok guys, I'm not sure what to do here. My friend's brother passed away over the weekend. Everyone kinda expected this, just not so soon. Anywho, there's no money for a funeral. None. Of all the brothers and sisters they have, all of them are pretty much tapped out. I've been thinking of offering them a couple hundred to maybe help out whatever they can get together. When I mentioned this to my mom she said "It's not your problem". Mind you, this is one of my closest friends. We've known each other for 11 years, and while we didn't speak for a few of those years she's now one of my biggest supporters. I've always felt like a part of their family.

In all honesty, I'm not in the position to be giving away money, but I could manage to do so (with a credit card). I'm also trying to pay down my debt, but they are left with no options. He was on Social Security and their office said since he is not married and doesn't have children, the $255 death benifit isn't available to them. Then the office informed them that he had already been given more than he should have been. He was in the hospital for 3-4 months earlier this year battling cancer. They said he shouldn't have continued to receive SSI as he was already being provided housing in the hospital. They tried the welfare office and got the same story "it's only available to a spouse".

Her sister is checking into the cash value on her own life insurance policy, but if it's not enough to cover the $850 needed they will be signing his body over to the state...I'm just not sure what to do. He deserves more than that, but financially it's looking like they won't have a choice.

[Crebain]

The relatives need to pull together and borrow the cash. Stay out of it.

[The Outlaw]

I also agree. You will wind up feeling used down the road. It was an expense that should have been anticipated. Your friend's brother is already in a better place.

THE OUTLAW

[Vega]

Thanks guy, actually, he was only 42 and they got the cancer into remission...so this wasn't something they had expected to come so soon. But fortunately things worked out. My friend's sister was able to get $50 over what they'll need to cover the costs.

[Crebain]

Only 42? Holy cats ... every day is a gift.