It's been over two months since 23-year-old Philomoy McDonald died in his sleep, and yet, his body still lies in the morgue.

McDonald, who is originally from Trelawny, died in April while visiting his brother in Portland. An autopsy later determined that the young man died from a heart attack.

The shocking news that a man of such youth had died from a heart attack, would be only the first of the trials to face Lourine Brown, McDonald's aunt. Brown, who contacted THE STAR, said her nephew could not be buried because the family was simply unable to afford it.

Brown, whose sister is McDonald's mother, said no one in the family could afford the $130,000 needed to bury her nephew. She said she had just completed college and was in the process of finding a job. She said, "I can't take on that. Trust me. I buried his mother, my mother and my father. I just can't take that on. I went to college thinking I would get a better paying job, but I still have not."

McDonald's father, THE STAR was told, had earlier indicated that he would help to cover the cost. However, Brown said she recently got a call from him to say that he was now overseas on the farm work programme, but had not yet started to work.

Brown continued, "Everyone is looking to me, but I just don't have it. Honestly to God, mi can't do it. If I could, mi woulda bury the boy long time." She said she has fallen ill because of the stress this has caused her and also from the pressure she is facing from the funeral home.

When THE STAR contacted the owner of the funeral home, Jennifer Bennett, she confirmed that the body had indeed been at her parlour since May 4. She said she had offered a discount to the family because of their financial limitations, offering a package of $130,000 down from $170,000. This includes the cost to transport the body back to Trelawny.

She said, "You know how much storage I have had to pay? I need it to be done as soon as possible." She said she would love to have the funeral by next week, as it has been costing her greatly to store the body.

Anyone willing to help McDonald's family, may contact the funeral home, Bennett's Funeral Home, at 853-9446, or visit them at 26 North Street in Kingston