Social media influencer Lisa Pontius shares touching rationale for crafting late spouse's cast replica: ensuring the children maintain a tangible memory of their father.

Lisa Pontius, a popular TikTok content creator with over 664,000 followers, has shared a heart-wrenching video on the platform. The video features a hand cast of her late husband, Matthew Pontius, who passed away on August 19, 2025, at the age of 43, following a battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).

Matthew's symptoms first appeared in June, and he was officially diagnosed with CJD in mid-August. The disease, a rare and fatal brain disorder, typically takes a patient's life within a year of diagnosis.

In the video, the hand cast was made in a hospital bed with Matthew's hand resting in a bucket to create a mold. Lisa made the cast to preserve a piece of Matthew for their children and herself. The video, which has gone viral, has been viewed over 5.2 million times and collected over 198,000 likes.

Lisa also wrote an emotional farewell to her husband on TikTok, confirming his passing. The video serves as a poignant reminder of the love shared between the couple and the impact Matthew had on their family.

Matthew was not only Lisa's husband but also a loving father to their three children. His loss has undoubtedly left a void in their lives, but the hand cast serves as a tangible reminder of the love they shared.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a rare and fatal brain disorder that affects humans and animals. It is caused by prions, abnormal proteins that can cause normal proteins in the brain to fold into the wrong shape. There is currently no cure for CJD, and treatments are primarily focused on managing symptoms.

This tragic event serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing every moment with our loved ones and the impact that loss can have on a family. Our thoughts are with Lisa and her family during this difficult time.