# I can't afford to bury anyone **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 2, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146 "2003-06-02T16:05:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/1 "2003-06-02T16:05:53Z")
What happens if someone in your immediate family dies and you don’t have life insurance on them? How do you come up with the money to bury them? Let’s just assume your credit sucks so you can’t get a loan and you don’t have any rich friends to beg from. The law is they have to be buried in XX number of days. So where do you come up with the cash and so fast? I’m afraid one of my parents is going to die soon and none of them have life insurance policies. I am a single parent and have no money or means to get any to pay for a funeral. What do you do? Who do you contact for help? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/2 "2003-06-02T16:14:53Z")
I believe social security provides a $225 “burial benefit” to the families of those who are on social security. There are also benefits if the deceased was a veteran. I’d also expect funeral homes to have payment plans. ---
**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/3 "2003-06-02T17:37:02Z")
I’m sorry to hear about your parent. I’m afraid the answer to you question is going to vary wildly from state to state and county to county. You’ll need to contact the approrpriate office in the county that your parent resides in; additionally, I would contact funeral homes as well, as you may not wish to have the county take care of the burial after learning of the particulars of your county. ---
**Author:** ![Isabelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5a626/32.png) [@Isabelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isabelle)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/4 "2003-06-02T18:52:55Z")
“as you may not wish to have the county take care of the burial after learning of the particulars of your county” ooooooh this doesn’t sound good. Can you please elaborate? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![Howard\_Juneau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@Howard\_Juneau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Howard_Juneau)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/5 "2003-06-02T18:55:06Z")
**RealityChuck** is right: most funeral homes have payment plans. In some places, local tradition has it that there’s no (or minimal) interest charged. I had a friend in a similar situation recently. She mentioned it to her clergyperson, who had done several services for that funeral director. Clergyperson said that the church would help underwrite the funeral expenses up to a certain amount. I know that some faith traditions really help out in this regard. Hospice might be another resource that could refer you to appropriate help. Sorry about your parent. ---
**Author:** ![\_baby\_cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/7feea3/32.png) [@\_baby\_cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_baby_cat)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/6 "2003-06-02T19:04:11Z")
Hey speaking of life insurance at what age should you look into buying it? ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/7 "2003-06-02T19:10:53Z")
You should try to learn exactly what is legally required in your area before you shop around. Frankly, I’ve heard that a lot of funeral homes will lie and say that, for example, embalming is required by law when it is not. Depending on how cheaply you want to do this, you could probably get a burial for a couple of hundred dollars. My husband works in the corrections industry, and sometimes the state has to bury inmates who have no family who will take responbibility for it. Coffins vary widely in price, but there are some composite caskets which are very cheap. If cremation is an option, you wouldn’t need a coffin for this. (According to a book I read, Jessica Mitford’s \* The American Way of Death, \* some funeral homes will lie and say that one is required, but it is not. Again, check to see what is legally required.) You also do not \* have \* to buy an expensive urn, either. In any case, get all estimates in writing. If a claim is made that something is legally required, ask for that to be put in writing as well, and then call your state health department to confirm. Of course, not all funeral homes are “iffy” but you should be careful. I’m deeply sorry about your parent, and wish you all the best. ---
**Author:** ![Howard\_Juneau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@Howard\_Juneau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Howard_Juneau)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2003, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/8 "2003-06-02T19:15:44Z")
BTW, the “particulars of your county”, at least here in the midwest, means a very simple casket – often constructed of plywood with cloth overlay. There are horror-stories or “waxed cardboard” caskets, but 'round here they aren’t used, to my knowledge. A default option in some parts of the country is cremation, which is a fairly economical option, if it is an option. Also, many of the funeral expenses can be minimized by shortening “calling hours”, or opting for only a graveside service at the cemetary. Be up-front with the funeral director about your resources, ask a lot of questions, and don’t go bankrupt over the service. ---
**Author:** ![CoffinMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b9bd4f/32.png) [@CoffinMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoffinMan)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2017, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/9 "2017-06-29T21:52:36Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > I believe social security provides a $225 “burial benefit” to the families of those who are on social security. There are also benefits if the deceased was a veteran. > > I’d also expect funeral homes to have payment plans. I cannot speak for all funeral homes, but can say that the one I work for has payment plans for this purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2017, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/10 "2017-06-29T22:14:56Z")
Wow! A zombie thread about dead people. I think the OP’s parent may have died some time ago, so advice now is not relevant anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2017, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/11 "2017-06-29T22:40:17Z")
> [@CoffinMan](#): > > I cannot speak for all funeral homes, but can say that the one I work for has payment plans for this purpose. I can understand bumping one, maybe two threads. Would you mind explaining to us why you’re bumping every old thread you can find that has to do with funerals? ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2017, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/12 "2017-06-29T22:43:57Z")
> [@Flyer](#): > > I can understand bumping one, maybe two threads. Would you mind explaining to us why you’re bumping every old thread you can find that has to do with funerals? With a name like that, need one ask? ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2017, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/13 "2017-06-29T22:50:38Z")
Zombie resurrection / user-name combo of the month nomination … ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/14 "2017-06-29T23:36:20Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > Zombie resurrection / user-name combo of the month nomination … And unfortunately [THIS](http://cdn03.cdn.justjaredjr.com/wp-content/uploads/pictures/2015/01/izombie-stills/rose-mciver-izombie-stills-trailer-07.jpg) is not what zombies look like ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2017, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/15 "2017-06-29T23:46:15Z")
In the last few years, I’ve seen families raising money for funerals with car washes and with donation boxes at grocery checkouts. So that’s new since 2003. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2017, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/16 "2017-06-29T23:56:43Z")
It will cost less to have only a grave side burial service , we did this for our mom. She was 93 yo when dies and out lived her whole family and friends so we saw no needs to have a big funeral for her . You can buy a coffin direct from the company instead of the funeral home and this might save a little money. Do you have any one in your family that can help with the cost ? I am sorry to hear about your mom. What about Elder Services maybe they have some kind of funds to help people or a church may help . Try looking online and if there is any help in your city , I would call Elder Services and see if they know of any organizations you can call. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/17 "2017-06-30T00:09:01Z")
> [@purplehearingaid](#): > > It will cost less to have only a grave side burial service , we did this for our mom. > She was 93 yo when dies and out lived her whole family and friends so we saw no needs to have a big funeral for her . You can buy a coffin direct from the company instead of the funeral home and this might save a little money. Do you have any one in your family that can help with the cost ? I am sorry to hear about your mom. What about Elder Services maybe they have some kind of funds to help people or a church may help . Try looking online and if there is any help in your city , I would call Elder Services and see if they know of any organizations you can call. You know this thread is 14 years old, don’t you? **CoffinMan** has been reviving zombies all over the forums. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/18 "2017-06-30T00:22:30Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > You know this thread is 14 years old, don’t you? **CoffinMan** has been reviving zombies all over the forums. :smack: Oh shit I forgot to check the date of the thread ! ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-cant-afford-to-bury-anyone/179146/19 "2017-06-30T00:40:25Z")
**Moderator Action** Let’s put this poor zombie back in its grave. **CoffinMan** , please do not bump threads in GQ unless you have something new or significant to contribute to the thread. Thread closed.