October 2, 2024
When trying to comprehend the immense loss of your child, and facing so many things at once, you just want to curl up in a ball and cry. Unfortunately you can’t afford to do that. You have a funeral to plan.
While I was in the midst of planning John’s funeral, my cousin informed me about the Ohio Victims Crime Compensation Program. She suggested that I file a claim since John was a victim of homicide. She emphasized the importance of filing as soon as possible because she understood that we didn’t have the funds to cover John’s funeral expenses, and this program includes those costs.
I went online and tried to start the claim but wasn’t able to do so.
Firstly, I realized I wasn’t mentally prepared to do it. It was so confusing, I had trouble understanding where to start. I soon discovered that it’s a reimbursement process rather than a fund that pays expenses upfront which would be of no help currently. I need access to funds right now so I can bury my son. Why don’t they issue payment now? It’s evident John died from a crime.
The GoFundMe was covering John’s immediate funeral expenses, so I decided to set this aside and revisit it later.
Today is the day.
I revisited the site and read the instructions.
Since John was the victim of a homicide and we’re his parents, we are also victims. As victims, we are eligible to receive compensation through the Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program. This program covers various expenses, including:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Wages lost due to the crime
- Counseling for family members of homicide victims
- Travel expenses for family members to attend court
- Financial support for dependents of a deceased victim
To file a claim, you need to gather documentation to support it and navigate several different processes. I sighed and thought, “More responsibilities to add to my plate.”While I truly appreciate that Ohio has this program, I must admit that when engulfed in grief, handling practical matters is the last thing on your mind.
But someone has to do it.
And that someone is me.
Since I couldn’t fully understand what I was reading, I looked in the booklet from the Prosecutor’s office for someone I could contact for assistance.
I located the phone number for the Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program and gave them a call. The woman who answered my call was very nice and gave me a few attorneys to call for assistance.
The first two on the list no longer assist victims with filing claims.
The third one I called was an older gentleman who was very direct.
“You must truly be a victim of a covered crime to file a claim,” he said curtly.
“We are. Our son was murdered.” I replied.
He changed his tone immediately and said he would be happy to help me.
I was informed that the fund has a limit of $7,500, and that it includes costs such as funeral expenses, burial expenses (including John’s clothes and grave marker), loss of wages, travel expenses for the family, and food. I should gather all receipts and documentation together and email everything to him. He would then file the claim on my behalf. But before doing so, I needed to fill out some paperwork and return it to him.
“What’s your email address”? He asked.
I gave him my email address and he said he would send me the paperwork after we hung up.
I thanked him, said goodbye and waited.
It’s never-ending but I’m doing what needs to be done.
I still need to get John’s grave marker.
I received the email shortly after our conversation. In it, he also said he would need a copy of Johns birth certificate which is something I’ve procrastinated to get.
I guess I have no choice now. While I’m at it, I’ll order John’s autopsy too.
“God,” I prayed, “Please give me the strength to handle all of this and to read his autopsy report when it comes.”
It was another night full of tears.