WICHITA, Kansas – Funerals can be very expensive. But one couple has no money to bury their newborn son and seemingly nowhere to turn for help as charities are also running low on funds.
Ryan Hinojos and Heather Wizenhunt are saying goodbye to their son. He died late November at the hospital just hours after being born with a neuro-tube defect. And even though they’re having a small service, the family has no way to pay for the funeral. Instead, they’ve just signed a note, promising to pay the funeral home.
“We're still kind of numb,” said Ryan. “It's just kind of hard to cope with. We're still trying to get through the whole idea of having to say goodbye to our child.”
But now, in a tight economy, even non-profits that help out are hurting. The Agape Care Cradle helps families with no money bury their newborns, but with a tight economy and donations down, it is unable to help Ryan and Heather.
Shannon Barnes with Agape Care says, “Our heart goes out to those we cannot help. We will continue to help people like Ryan and Heather whenever we can, but resources are just not there right now.”
In addition to losing their son, Ryan and Heather had to move this week because they lost their home and Ryan lost his job. So with no money, they’ve even called several churches and so far, they’ve received no help.
Sedgwick County will bury a person, but only if the deceased is not claimed by a relative. The county did check into the case of Ryan and Heather, but says there is not statute that allows for county monies to be used to help.
So for now, the couple has no answers on how to pay for a burial during a very difficult time.
“Just don't give up hope,” Ryan said. “Do everything that you can to be assured that you've done everything you can for your baby.”
Ryan and Heather have set up a fund for helping bury their son, Kyler. Donations can be made to any Emprise Bank in the Wichita area to the Kyler Hinojos Fund.
