For my son Robert’s cremation

Geneva, Switzerland, November 22, 2020

My beloved and only son Robert passed away in Manchester, UK, on October 14 at the age of 51 years, but I only received the news on October 30 following an appeal by the Manchester Police to find his family. It took time for the news to reach me because we didn't have the same last name and I live in Switzerland. After many email exchanges with the Coroner's Office, I was naturally informed among other things that it is up to me to arrange for the funeral. I opted for a cremation and to have his ashes shipped to me because having my son's body repatriated to Switzerland would be extremely expensive.

My son meant the world to me. He was a brilliant and very kind man and a highly gifted artist, very creative. He was so very dearly loved by myself, by his uncles, aunts and cousins who live on three different continents, and by his many friends here in Switzerland. We all miss him enormously.

Here is an example of his artwork:

I am 73 years old and ill, and I survive on a minimal old-age pension which only covers my basic living expenses, so I cannot afford to pay for the cremation and for having my son's cremated remains shipped from the UK to Switzerland, which is why I have set up this crowdfunding. I contacted several Funeral Directors in Manchester and settled for the one who gave me the most complete and reasonable estimate. I also will need to purchase a decent urn online here in Switzerland, because of the lockdown/confinement which makes it impossible for me to go to local funeral parlors to choose and buy one.

At present, my son's body is in the care of the Manchester Coroner's Office, and they will only keep it for ten more days, and if I haven't paid the Funeral Director before that, the Coroner's Office will have my son buried anonymously in a collective pauper's grave, which for me is an absolutely heart-wrenching and unbearable thought. This also means that I need the funds very urgently.

I wish for my son to have a simple but decent cremation and ceremony, nobody will attend except for a clergyman for the blessings. I have opted for a simple coffin and for some flowers to be placed on it.

I am heartbroken.

Please, please help me.

Thank you and bless you.

Vera Chevrolet Hart-Narishkin