Definitely “more to the story”...
Yeah, the "more" is almost certainly money.
Did they know he was going to die?? Who saw the baby prior??
Yes, there's a lot missing from this story.
I think the initial discussion about the cost of hiring a funeral home to arrange transport was probably brought up by the parents. When told by staff it would be very expensive the parents most likely asked if there was an alternative. Sadly self transport would have been it. I doubt hospital staff bluntly said “Forget hiring the funeral home.you can’t afford it, here’s the body you are on your own.”
I also wonder why the couple did not contact any members of their church or friends or family. And not to sound too harsh but when traveling a long distance with a child who has severe life threatening condition it would be prudent to have a plan for if the child becomes very ill or even dies.
I am sorry their son died. But this comes across as a money grab to me.