Shaq Pays for Funeral of Boy Who Died in Louisiana Car Crash

Shaquille O’Neal made a bigger than life gesture for a Louisiana family who tragically lost a child in a car accident — covering the balance of the kid’s burial service.

Phil Conrad — a retired chief deputy officer from the Lafayette City Marshall’s Office — tells TMZ Sports … the ex-NBA big man recently shelled out a few thousand bucks to help pay for the remaining cost of a child’s funeral, this after his family came up just a little short.

Here’s what happened … a car with an adult driver and four minors ran a stop sign, then crashed into a ditch and ultimately into a tree a couple weeks ago out in nearby Beaux Bridge, LA.  The crash claimed the lives of two of the kids in the back seat, 12-year-old Trayvon Alexander and 11-year-old Keshon Batiste. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

Conrad tells us Trayvon’s family had insurance covering his burial in full, but young Keshon did not … leaving his loved ones to start a Go-Fund-Me.  They still need around $4,000 to reach their goal. We’re told Shaq — who went to college in Louisiana — caught wind of the story and hit up Phil to get downloaded on the situation.

Once Shaq heard what was needed to help Keshon’s relatives, Conrad says he instantly acted … wiring him the leftover balance immediately, and Conrad then delivered the cash to the Kinchan Funeral Home. We’re told the two boys were laid to rest Saturday.