Families Of The 22 Victims In El Paso Tragedy Will Not Have To Pay for Funerals

Aug 12, 2019 by apost team

Almost two weeks ago a gunman shattered the lives of the citizens of El Paso, Texas, killing 22 and wounding 24 in a local Walmart. In the days since the heinous act, citizens have come together in ways that prove that the gunman could never kill El Paso’s community spirit. One such way is how the city is helping the families of the victims with funeral costs.

Angel Gomez has been at the forefront of helping the community prepare for the funerals. Working with Operation H.O.P.E., which stands for Helping Other People Endure, Gomez has been in regular contact with funeral directors in El Paso, helping them organize services. Speaking with ABC News, Gomez said:

"I kinda shed a couple of tears yesterday as we were making arrangements for the funeral directors, getting them together, pulling them together...They agreed. It doesn’t matter the number of people. We will go ahead and take care of these people," he said. "I just want the people to be at ease here in El Paso — family members of the victims — that there will be no cost for their funerals," Gomez revealed. 

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In a post on Operation H.O.P.E.’s Facebook page, the organization thanked all the funeral homes for volunteering their services.  The organization also thanked the Sherrif's department for escorting all of the funeral processions. In an earlier post, the organization wrote:

"We are all about teamwork. We are never able to do things alone. We are truly fortunate so many El Paso agencies are coming together to show their love and support through this difficult time."

In addition to covering funeral costs, Operation H.O.P.E. will also be transporting the victims who were Mexican nationals across the border to their families in Mexico. "[We'll] take care of crossing the bridge. You know, you have to go from country to country. [There's] paperwork to take the body over. We’ll do everything," Gomez shared to ABC.  

He added, "We have 22 victims. We will be providing their funeral services, not only in the El Paso area, but we’re going to be sending the bodies once they get embalmed to Juarez, Mexico, Torreon and Chihuahua. And this is all done at no cost to the families. None whatsoever, my friend. As I say, this is how El Paso rolls – as one. We are one community," he told the news station. 

In all, Gomez feels that the community’s response is proof of how united El Paso is in the face of tragedy. Calling El Paso a quiet community, Angel feels that most people are still in shock from the tragedy, but that their love of neighbor will give them the courage to carry on.

"It’s so hard to come up with the words," Gomez said to ABC. "El Paso is such a passive, quiet, city. You know what I mean? We have a beautiful time here."

What do you think of how the funeral directors of El Paso have agreed to cover the funeral costs of the victims of the shooting? What more should be done to help the victims’ families? Tell us below. Send this article to your friends and family so they can stay updated on the news surrounding the El Paso tragedy.