COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – After months of fighting to get their father’s remains back, a southern Colorado family has 11 news viewers to thank for finally getting his ashes home.
Dennis Larney died in May, but his body remained in a funeral home in Rocky Ford for months. His daughters, Mary Nystrom and Jessica Cunningham, did not have enough money to have his body cremated.
Otero County Coroner Bob Fowler was also unable to handle the matter himself, saying that was because there was no way to get state funding for burials and cremations for the indigent.
You can read the full report on this story here.
But on August 5, about 70 days after his death, Larney’s daughters were able to collect his ashes.
After 11 News aired her story on July 30, the GoFundMe page, which had been at $20 for a month, saw a huge influx of donations ranging from $10 to $1,000. In just one night, Nystrom and her sister had raised enough money to get their father’s body back and have him cremated.
“The relief and peace I feel knowing that this is covered is just incredible,” Nystrom said.
The next day, however, Advanced Remediation Services owner Shawn Renville contacted 11 News about wanting to cover the entire cost of the cremation, even though the money had already been collected.
“Handling this financial burden means more to me than I can put into words,” Nystrom said.
And later, antique dealer Bernice Forsythe Nystrom also gave $1,000.
“It was completely unreal, I just couldn’t believe it,” Nystrom said. “I cried.”
With the extra money, Nystrom said, she plans to hold a celebration of life at Larney’s home. She said she also plans to buy a bench and have it engraved in his honor.
“I can’t wait to celebrate his life in the future,” she said. “I just remember all the good times with him.”
Nystrom also said she shared her story to raise awareness for families who cannot afford the remains of their loved ones. In addition, she found herself in a unique situation in that the county was also unable to help her.
11 News spoke with Rep. Matt Soper, a lawmaker who helped draft and pass funeral industry reform legislation earlier this year. After Nystrom’s story aired, he said he plans to use it as a basis for possible future legislation.
On Monday, he provided further details about what kind of bill he intends to draft.
“I haven’t spelled out exactly what a bill would look like yet, but it will address burials, prepaid plans and penalties for wrongful burials,” he said in a text message via a House Republican representative.
In the meantime, Nystrom said she is proud that her father’s story may spark change.
“It makes me proud to be his daughter,” she said.
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