Wow, Dazed and Confused, I am SO sorry to hear of your son's death! What HORRIBLE people who wouldn't even offer you a bed for the night - and yet they probably fall all over themselves trying to impress the circuit servant when HE comes to town...
Ironically, had you been a member of a group like the SCA [Society for Creative Anachronism] or some other social club, you probably would have had LOTS of help - I've seen SCA members here behave VERY generously towards their members in need...
Heck, I've helped people pack up their houses and have 'autocrated' at least one charitable event at the public zoo for the SCA, so I've seen them in action...