A Scots family rocked by a double tragedy say the strain of paying for two funerals so close together is making their grief even harder to deal with.
Elaine Stirling, 39, from Johnstone in Renfrewshire lost her mum, Carol Stirling, 59, on April 3 last year after she suffered three brain aneurysms following the formation of a clot in her heart.
Bereft Elaine was then hit with more heartache just eight months later when her partner, Thomas Brown, died.
The 39-year-old landscape gardener was found dead at home in Johnstone, Renfrewshire on December 4.
Medics cited the death as ' unascertained ' and his heartbroken family are awaiting full post-mortem results.
She and Thomas had six kids between them and his death has been hard on the whole family.
His death coming so soon after Carol's has left mum-of-six Elaine devastated that she won't be able to give her partner of four years a proper send off.
Holding back the tears she told the Record: "To see your mum die, then your partner, in the space of eight months is heartbreaking.
"Both deaths were so sudden and Thomas' is still down as not ascertained, we didn't see it coming at all.
"The thought of not being able to afford a funeral for Thomas, who did so much for others, has made the whole ordeal worse.
"We're desperate."
Elaine left her job due to pressures during the pandemic and Thomas' income as a landscaper had also dipped before his death.
Due to their money worries the family decided to launch a GoFundMe page in a bid to give Thomas the send-off he deserves.
Elaine added: "I used to be a factory worker, but had to leave my job.
"With Covid, jobs were going and wages were getting lower.
"I have children to look after including one autistic daughter who I could not risk catching Covid."
She added: "Work dried up for Thomas as people either weren't allowed to have landscapers over, or they felt uncomfortable.
"That problem got worse before Thomas died, as work always slows down anyway in the winter.
"As a family we already struggled for money, now we have his very unexpected funeral. Costs are too high for us to cover it's awful."
In just a few weeks the page has raised almost £800 and Thomas' funeral will take place on January 26 at Cardross Crematorium in Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire.
Elaine maintains that the GoFundMe page will close as soon as sky high expenses are covered.
"People have been so kind," she added.
"To donate so much during a time when people have so little money, is unbelievable.
"Thomas always thought of others, he'd give someone his last penny.
"It's nice to see people doing the same for him."
Donations can be made on the GoFundMe page.
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