Erika Diarte-Carr, a 30-year-old mother from Ogden, Utah, died on October 11, 2024, after living with stage 4 small cell lung carcinoma, her cousin told ABC News. In the final weeks of her life, she sought help with funeral expenses through a fundraiser and said any money left over would go toward a trust fund for her two children.
Who was Erika Diarte-Carr?
Diarte-Carr was a single mother in Ogden, Utah. Her cousin confirmed her death to ABC News on October 11, 2024. ABC News reported that she was 30.
What happened after her cancer diagnosis?
Diarte-Carr said she went to an emergency room on May 7, 2022, believing she had injured her shoulder, and learned she had stage 4 terminal cancer. Her diagnosis was small cell lung carcinoma, according to FOX 13 News Utah. Recalling what doctors told her, she wrote in her fundraiser: “I hope you have a good support system at home because you’re going to need it, you have a long and hard journey ahead of you,” as quoted by ABC News / Good Morning America.
ABC News reported that Diarte-Carr said she was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome in January 2024. In September, after learning her prognosis had worsened, she chose to stop cancer treatment so she could spend time with her children and family. These medical details and her treatment decision are reported from her statements and family accounts.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Package Includes: you will receive 180 pieces of the funeral favors for guests in total, including 60 pieces of guardian angel token, 60 pieces of funeral prayer cards and 60 pieces of organza bags, so you can put the coins and cards in the bags, nice combination to meet your funeral favor needs
- Spiritual Heart Shape Coins: the memorial pocket hug token is designed with the shape of heart, engraved with angel's feather on the front side and poems of mourning on the back, meaningful and warm, can be taken as celebration of life ideas, funeral gifts and memorial keepsakes
- Detailed Size Information: the faith angel coin measures about 30 x 20 x 2 mm/ 1.18 x 0.79 x 0.08 inches, the prayer cards for funeral measure about 8.5 x 4.7 cm/ 3.35 x 1.85 inches, and the organza bags measure about 10 x 12 cm/ 3.94 x 4.72 inches, will not take up much space and easy for you to carry
- Reliable Material: the funeral token is made of alloy, the memorial funeral cards are made of both sides copper paper, and the bags are made of organza, sturdy and serviceable, not easy to break or fade, can stay with you for a long time
- Wide Application: the celebration of life decorations are a timeless way to remember a loved one Suitable for occasions such as celebration of life favors, memorial decorations, funeral favors for memorial service, funeral decorations
How much did she raise, and what was the money for?
The campaign initially sought $5,000 for funeral expenses. As donations accumulated, reports put the total above $1 million: FOX 13 News Utah reported $1,166,157 as of the Saturday covered in its October 2024 report, while The Guardian reported nearly $1.2 million on October 16, 2024. These are snapshots from different publication dates, not contradictory final totals. ABC News also reported that the campaign exceeded $1 million.
Diarte-Carr said she wanted money remaining after funeral costs to support her children. The Guardian quoted her description of the plan: “put into a trust fund for my babies.” That was her stated intention; the reporting does not confirm whether a trust was ultimately created or how the funds were disbursed.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 48 Memorial Gift Wrap Tags: Includes 48 black and white butterfly-shaped writable gift tags designed for funeral favors, sympathy gifts, remembrance gatherings, and celebration-of-life events. Each tag measures approximately 3"hx3"lx0.02"w, ideal for gift bags, keepsake boxes, bouquets, and favor packaging.
- Plantable Wildflower Seed Paper: Each gift tag is made from plantable seed paper embedded with a premium wildflower seed blend. After use, the tag can be planted in soil where it grows into blooming flowers, creating a lasting tribute.
- Butterfly Symbol of Transformation & Remembrance: The butterfly represents transformation, hope, and remembrance. These memorial gift tags add a comforting and symbolic touch to sympathy gifts, funeral favors, condolence packages, and remembrance keepsakes.
- Smooth Writable Surface: Easily write names, dates, or short messages using pen, pencil, or marker. Perfect for personalizing gift wrapping, memorial tokens, greeting cards, and tribute favors for family and friends.
- Easy to Plant and Grow: After gifting, place the tag under a thin layer of soil, water regularly, and provide sunlight. The plantable seed paper tags naturally breaks down as wildflowers begin to grow, turning each tag into a living memory.
Rank #4
- Ample Quantity: You will receive 100 sets of funeral favors, including 100 wooden butterfly pieces, 100 prayer cards for funeral, and 100 organza bags. The butterfly and cards can be placed into bags, with sufficient quantity to meet your needs as funeral favors and memorial gifts for remembrance of loved ones.
- Design with Meaning: The wooden butterfly pocket charms feature soft blue and white tones with butterfly and floral patterns, paired with memorial cards for celebration of life printed with the poem *“Remember Me.” Designed as celebration of life decorations and funeral memorial gifts, they offer a heartfelt way to express remembrance and keep loved ones forever in our heart.
- Appropriate Size: Each wooden butterfly pocket hug measures approx:1.38 × 1.18 × 0.20 inches. The memorial cards measure approx:1.85 × 3.43 inches, and the organza bags are approx:4.53 × 3.39 inches. Compact and lightweight, this set is easy to carry, store, and share during a memorial service.
- Keepsakes to Share: Meaningful keepsakes, these pocket hug tokens can be shared as funeral gifts and funeral keepsakes for guest. Suitable for celebration of life ideas, remembrance gatherings, and as gentle memorial decorations for celebration of life, offering comfort to family and friends.
- Quality Poplar Wood Material: Made from natural poplar wood, these butterfly-shaped pocket hug tokens feature a textured surface that highlights the natural grain of the wood. Paired with durable memorial cards, they make meaningful celebration of life gifts and keepsakes for cherished memories.
Rank #3
- Package Contents: 100 sets of funeral thank you favors set, which you need to assemble yourself, providing you 100 small wooden crosses keychains, 100 white organza bags, 100 bead chains and 100 sympathy thank you cards, enough for your guests, family and friends, and we also provide you with 1 roll of rope for easy packing or decorating needs
- Ideal sympathy gift set Choice: these funerals and memorial favors set are exquisitely crafted and beautiful in appearance, ideal funeral favors for guests: These funeral memorial gifts sets are suitable for funeral guests, sympathy thank you party, celebration of life party favors, memorial party, remembrance party, bereavement party, tomb sweeping activities and other condolence occasions
- Size Details: the wooden cross keychain measure approx. 1.69 x 1.18 inches, compact and portable; The white organza bags are about 3.93 x 5.51 inches; The prayer cards for funeral measure about 1.77 x 3.74 inches; The chain is about 3.94 inches long; Please check the size information before purchasing
- Wooden Cross keychain: you can bring the small wooden cross keychain with you, serving as a daily reminder of your religious beliefs; The white organza bags can also contain other small gifts you would like to give to funeral guests souvenirs; The funeral memory cards printed with thank you and warm words and vivid patterns to express your gratitude to the people who come to pay their respects after the funeral
- Reliable and Long Lasting: the cross charms are made of quality wood, sturdy and serviceable; The funeral thank you cards adopt coated paper, with clear printing and smooth surface, not easy to fade; These small mesh bags are made of reliable organza, reliable performance, and can be applied for a long time
Rank #2
- Large in Quantities: you will be provided with 60 sets of funeral favors, including 60 pieces of angel keychains, 60 pieces of organza gift bags and 60 pieces of thank you funeral tags, which are sufficient for the funeral party use needs
- Detailed Size to Apply: our angel keychains and the funeral tags are proper and compact, which can be put into the 2.76 x 3.54 inches/ 7 x 9 cm organza bags for easier carrying and storing, bringing you much convenience.Please note: The card size is not suitable for inside the bag and is intended for hanging outside the bag
- Sturdy and Safe Material: our angel key chain favors are mainly made of alloy material, anti corrosion and worn resistance, not easy to rust, tear, wear or fade, which can serve you for a long time, and you can use them with confidence
- Wide Range of Applications: the funeral decorations can not only be applied together for funeral, memorial party, tomb sweeping activities and other condolence occasions, but also be put into use separately for diverse purposes
- Multiple Functions: these funeral favors are suitable for many occasions, the angel keychain can be regarded as the accessories of car key, house key, backpack and luggage; The organza gift bags are applied to store your candy, biscuits, earring, and other small items
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
