Woman takes dead sister’s ashes on vacation for birthday

A grieving woman said that she found closure from her sibling’s unexpected death by taking her ashes on a trip to Las Vegas.

Arizona native Brianna Payne, 26, lost her 18-year-old sister Erin in May 2020 to fentanyl poisoning after the young woman unknowingly purchased medication that was laced with opioids.

“Life isn’t the same without her, but I’m making the best out of it because I know that’s what she would want,” she told The Post.

Prior to her death, the girls promised each other that they would “travel the world together,” so Payne decided to honor the pact and took her sister’s remains to Sin City.

“I went for what would have been Erin’s 21st birthday, April 17th, and it was also my friend’s 30th birthday, so I got to celebrate with her, too, which helped me get through the five days I was there,” Payne told NeedToKnow.co.uk.

“There was even a moment where one of mine and Erin’s songs came on, and my friend walked in and saw me crying — she had actually walked in to ask me if there was a song I wanted to listen to, that one gave me goosebumps.”

Payne said she and her friend further honored her sister’s memory by going to the world’s largest Denny’s, which was her favorite restaurant.

Payne said that she even used the urn to play a few slot machines, which she noted was perfect for traveling due to its compact size.

The bereaved woman said having the urn with her felt natural and even “fun.”

Since journeying to Nevada with her sibling, Payne revealed that the pair have visited many states within the US as well as Puerto Rico.

“I have been doing this pretty much since she passed away,” Payne said. “We have been to Puerto Rico, chased waterfalls all around Oregon and Washington, Colorado and tons of other places.”

Payne said that through traveling, she has found a sense of closure regarding her sister’s death as well as completing her wish to see as much of the world as possible.

“I plan to continue to do this, and my main goal is to bring her to Romania with our cousin, who actually had a trip planned to Romania two months after she passed away,” continued Payne. “I know that she would appreciate it, and every time I go on a trip, she sends me signs to show that she is still with me.”

The 26-year-old, who runs a production company, said that even though she sometimes gets bombarded with questions as to why she travels with the remains, the support from her family is all she truly needs.

“My mother loves and admires that I do this,” said Payne, who plans to take her sister to Washington, DC, in the near future to visit the memorial at the DEA Museum for all those who have died from fentanyl poisoning.

“My sister was the funniest person I ever knew, so having fun is the best way to cope, because that is what she would want,” she added.

Payne, who posted the story on her Instagram, claimed that since her sibling’s death, she has been trying to use her platform as a way to spread awareness about the rapidly escalating opioid crisis.

“Now, I want to use my voice and platform to help spread fentanyl awareness,” she said.

Since posting her video, several viewers have reached out to extend their condolences.

“This is a tragic and terrifying thing! I’m so sorry for your loss,” commented one user. “Thank you so much for spreading awareness.”

“The strength it must of took you to post this,” said another Instagram user.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” a third commenter added. “I have a sibling that is currently addicted to fentanyl and at this point, I’m just waiting for the phone call.”