Bloomington Township, Indiana – Crystal Phillips is facing challenges as she attempts to make arrangements for her brother’s burial after he was killed in a machete attack at a homeless camp in Bloomington. Shaquille Phillips, who was homeless at the time of his death, is deemed indigent and eligible for burial assistance through the township trustee system in Indiana. However, Crystal is struggling to cover the costs of her brother’s cremation and burial, leaving her in a frustrating situation.
Since Shaquille’s death on December 8, his ashes have been sitting at The Funeral Chapel in Bloomington, as Crystal contends with local officials regarding the payment for his cremation expenses. The township trustees in Monroe County only pay $1,500 for the cremation of an indigent resident. Crystal, who resides in Seattle, was unaware of the process and costs associated with burying someone, as she had never experienced it before. She is now left grappling with the financial burden and administrative hurdles involved in the burial process.
The township trustee for Bloomington, Efrat Rosser, informed Crystal that the township could only offer $500 in burial assistance, a fraction of the $1,500 she sought to honor her brother’s spirit and legacy. Crystal had raised $3,110 through a GoFundMe campaign, which she intended to use for travel expenses and purchasing a burial plot and grave marker. However, she was informed that state guidelines required the on-hand cash to go towards a basic cremation or burial first, leaving her to cover the additional expenses herself.
As Crystal attempted to appeal the decision, she was instructed to appear in person in Monroe County, despite living on the other side of the country. The county commissioners, who serve as hearing officers for appeals, informed her that there was no provision for a virtual hearing, leaving her with no choice but to travel to Indiana for the appeal process. Despite the challenges she faced, Crystal remained determined to seek justice for her brother and continue with the appeal process in hopes of finding a resolution.
The situation has left Crystal feeling frustrated and dehumanized, as she struggles to lay her brother to rest peacefully while facing financial and administrative roadblocks. Despite the setbacks, she is determined to persevere and fight for what she believes is a matter of principle in honoring her murdered brother’s memory.