What is done when no one in the family has money to bury their loved one. Who pays?

The responsibility for the cost of burying the indigent varies throughout the country – in some areas there are state funds set aside, in others it is a county responsibility, and in still others the local city or municipality may have to foot the bill. In all cases however, it is really the tax-payers who fund the burial, and it is usually a negligible amount – often only 1/10th the actual cost borne by the Funeral Home who has taken on the service. Your Funeral Director can help you find out who funds indigent burials in your area, or you can call your state government’s Funeral Services Board – every state has one – and they should be able to direct you to the appropriate contact.

In order to qualify for the indigent burial programs, there is  usually an application process where proof of income, assets, death benefits (or lack thereof) must be documented, as well as the inability of the next of kin  to pay. Often, if there is immediate family, they are responsible for covering the funeral costs of the indigent who has passed away, unless they meet the requirements outlined in the indigent burial programs.

Burial of the indigent has become a problematic issue in many areas – actual funeral costs far exceed what the government entities reimburse, forcing many Funeral Homes to refuse service, as they end up bearing the financial burden and cannot afford to stay in business with such a financial loss.

In cases of violent crime, some areas have victim restitution programs which may help defray funeral costs, and often communities will rally together to raise funds or a Funeral Director will donate their services. Speak with your local Funeral Director, and see what your options are.