Breast cancer victim Ashlee Plowman stuck in Flinders hospital as family struggle with funeral costs

There has been no closure for the family of breast-cancer victim Ashlee Plowman, stuck in a morgue as her family try to raise money for her funeral.

South Brighton mum Ashlee Plowman has been in the morgue for nine days because her family can’t afford to cremate her.

The single mother-of-four died in Flinders hospital from breast cancer and has remained there since March 5, while her family scrambles to get the remaining $1800 needed for the $6000 cremation.

Kelly-Anne Betts (left) is trying to raise money to pay for the $6000 cremation for stepdaughter Ashlee Plowman. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Ms Betts has set up a GoFundMe and needs $1800 to meet her target. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Stepmother and confidante Kelly-Anne Betts said it was Ms Plowman’s wish to be cremated and for her ashes to be put inside a toy bear for each of her sons.

The boys, from different biological fathers, have been split into three different households following the 31-year-old mother’s death and will be in the care of their respective fathers.

“We don’t have all the money to cremate her,” Ms Betts said.

Ms Betts started a GoFundMe in Ms Plowman’s name last Thursday, two days after she died.

Friends had made up the 12 donations amounting to about $1000, before Ms Plowman’s story was published on Sunday.

Despite the number of donors doubling since then, Ms Betts said it hadn’t been enough to proceed with the funeral.

“So grateful it’s at $3955, we are so close to being able to lay Ashlee to rest,” Ms Betts said. 

“There were emails between myself and the funeral place, Ashlee’s nan and pop – we are $1800 short to get cremation done.”

The GoFundMe received an anonymous donation of $2500 three days ago, which Ms Betts said was a huge surprise.

“I get a progress report, it says anonymous, but I emailed them today and said a massive thank you,” she said.

“I don’t know what else to do – I’m selling stuff on Marketplace to put towards it, I’m asking to put a message in the window at Woolies in Woodcroft and my chicken shop.

“Ashlee wanted to be cremated, she has special bears so that some of her ashes can be put into these bears for her boys.

“Myself, her dad, her nan and pop are trying everything – we are so close, it kills me she is where she is.”