Founded in 2016, The Unforgettables Foundation of Southern Ohio stands as a testament to the enduring power of compassion and community support. In a world that can seem indifferent to the unique and overwhelming grief of losing a child, this remarkable organization has dedicated itself to ensuring that every family—no matter their financial circumstances—can provide a dignified farewell to their beloved child.

The foundation’s inception was not born of strategy or business foresight, but from the depths of personal tragedy. Jared Still, the founder, understood firsthand the pain and confusion that follows the death of a child when his own brother, Greg, passed away suddenly in 2005. This intimate encounter with grief and the recognition of a widespread, unaddressed need in society inspired Jared to transform his pain into purposeful action. Thus, The Unforgettables Foundation of Southern Ohio was born, with a singular mission: to serve families in need who have lost a child, and to help them navigate the costly and emotionally fraught journey of burial and remembrance.

The loss of a child is a parent’s worst nightmare, a heartbreak so profound that it often leaves families grappling not only with sorrow, but also with immediate, practical concerns. Among the most pressing of these is the ability to afford a proper funeral. In the United States, funeral and burial expenses can be both unexpected and overwhelming. According to recent statistics, 37% of Americans have no savings at all, 41% have less than three months’ worth of expenses saved, and only 22% have a financial cushion that might last three months or more. For many households, a single unplanned event—such as the devastating loss of a child—can result in long-term financial hardship or even debt.

The emotional toll of losing a child is compounded by the practical reality of needing to make arrangements, often within days, and often without the necessary savings. For families already facing financial hardship, these expenses can transform the darkest day of their lives into a prolonged period of stress and uncertainty. The Unforgettables Foundation of Southern Ohio recognized this acute gap in societal support and resolved to step in where others could not.

Jared Still’s personal journey is intertwined with the foundation’s mission. The sudden death of his brother Greg in 2005 left Jared with a profound empathy for families navigating both grief and financial strain. He saw how, for many, the inability to afford a funeral could rob them of the opportunity for closure and dignity. This realization became the driving passion behind the foundation: to provide a compassionate, respectful response to families in crisis, and to ensure that no family ever has to choose between honoring their child and financial survival.

Jared’s philosophy is simple yet powerful: every child deserves to be remembered with love and dignity, and every family deserves to grieve without the added burden of insurmountable expense.

Over the past eight years, The Unforgettables Foundation of Southern Ohio has steadily built a legacy of care and community support. In that time, more than 200 families have received the assistance they needed to give their child a dignified burial—an act that, though small in the grand scale of the world’s problems, means everything to those it touches.

This impact is not measured solely in numbers, but in the stories of families who, in their darkest moments, found hope and support. The foundation’s work is a reminder that while the loss of a child cannot be undone, the response of a caring community can make a profound difference in the healing process.

The Unforgettables Foundation of Southern Ohio operates as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It provides direct financial assistance to families who have lost a child, covering funeral and burial expenses for children from 0 weeks (including stillbirths) up to 18 years old. The foundation’s aid is not limited by cause of death; it extends support for losses due to sickness, accidents, suicide, or any other circumstance.

A cornerstone of the foundation’s approach is its collaboration with local hospitals and mortuaries. By working closely with these institutions, The Unforgettables Foundation ensures that families in crisis are identified quickly and that support can be mobilized without delay. This network of partnerships is vital to the organization’s mission, enabling it to respond swiftly and effectively when a family’s need is greatest.

Funeral and burial costs continue to rise, and for many families, these expenses remain daunting and unreachable. The need for organizations like The Unforgettables Foundation of Southern Ohio is as urgent as ever. The foundation’s vision for the future is reflected in its commitment to “securing the next ten years”—to not only maintain, but expand its capacity to help.

This commitment requires sustained community support, both in terms of donations and volunteerism. The foundation relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and local organizations to provide the funding that makes its work possible. Every dollar donated is a lifeline for a grieving family, a gesture that communicates care and solidarity in the midst of unimaginable loss.

The families who benefit from The Unforgettables Foundation of Southern Ohio come from all walks of life and backgrounds, united only by the sorrow of losing a child and the urgency of needing help. The foundation does not discriminate by cause of death, race, religion, or socioeconomic background. The only eligibility requirement is the tragic loss of a child between 0 weeks and 18 years of age.

By supporting all causes of death—from stillbirth to illness, accidents, and suicide—the foundation acknowledges the universality of loss and the equal need for compassion across all circumstances.

Though privacy and respect for families are paramount, the cumulative effect of the foundation’s work is best understood through the lens of those it serves. For parents who have lost a newborn or a teenager, the ability to honor their child in a respectful, loving way is an essential step toward healing. The Unforgettables Foundation’s commitment to dignity ensures that every child is celebrated, every memory preserved, and every family supported through their grief.

None of this would be possible without the ongoing support of the Southern Ohio community and beyond. Volunteers, donors, and local partners form the backbone of The Unforgettables Foundation. Their contributions—whether financial, organizational, or simply the gift of time—are what allow the foundation to continue and expand its mission.

By coming together as a community, individuals can transform tragedy into hope, and grief into compassionate action. The foundation is always seeking new partners and supporters who share its vision of a world in which no family faces the loss of a child alone or unsupported.

As it looks ahead to the next decade and beyond, The Unforgettables Foundation of Southern Ohio is committed to growing its impact, strengthening its partnerships, and ensuring its sustainability. The foundation’s leadership is focused on enhancing fundraising efforts, expanding outreach to hospitals and mortuaries, and increasing public awareness of the needs faced by grieving families.

The organization’s ultimate goal is not merely to continue existing, but to ensure that every family in Southern Ohio who suffers the loss of a child knows that support, compassion, and dignity are available—no matter their financial situation.

The Unforgettables Foundation of Southern Ohio embodies the very best of what a community can do for its members. By responding to loss with compassion, empathy, and practical support, the foundation stands as a beacon of hope for families in their darkest hours. It reminds us all that, in the face of tragedy, we have the power to come together, lift one another up, and ensure that every child’s memory is cherished in dignity and love.

Through the ongoing work of The Unforgettables Foundation, the memory of Greg Still—and all the children it has helped—lives on, shining a light for future families who may, one day, need a helping hand.