My great-grandfather just passed away. We didn't know that he was ill, or going to die.


We're in a difficult spot now . . . we're not sure if he has Life Insurance because he lives in another state, but if he did, how much could they contribute for the cremation?

Also, if he DOESN'T have Life Insurance, what other programs can we use to pay for the cremation? No one has 3,000 dollars for the cremation because of the recession, and a traditional burial will be even more.


I've heard of something called Indigent Burial Service . . . does anyone know what this is and how you can get it for any county in Florida? [my grandfather lived in Marion county, Florida.]

PLEASE, anyone who knows ANYTHING about what to do about this situation, please help me. I am really worried and upset and need an answer soon. Since we live so far away from where he lived, I just don't know what to do. We just don't have the money. I'm scared.


Thank you.

Do the right things for the best reasons.

A direct cremation should be between 300 to 600 dollars. Know your rights, don't get screwed!

a funeral home in florida would be able to answer your questions.


when my brother-in-law was killed, we had indigent burial for him by the state of nebraska and it paid for viewing, a nice service, and burial.
however, i checked into indigent burial for my husband last year and they have now changed the law and will only cremate and give you in the ashes in a cardboard container.
no urn, no burial, no viewing, no service.
cremation only and a cardboard box with the ashes.
my dear mama ended up paying for a funeral and burial for my husband.

I think the Indigent Burial Service is for Veterans http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/topics/indi...

As far as insurance goes, insurance companies pay a set amount to the beneficiaries of the policy to do with whatever they please. The insurance company has no say whatsoever in how the money is used.

As for the rest of your questions, the regulations and services are different from state to state and even county to county. I would recommend contacting a funeral home in the county where he is and asking them about what is available. They will not charge you anything just for asking and you would not be obligated to use their services.

I am sorry for your loss.

I wish you and your family well and I will be praying for you.

God Bless You and Your's

Contact Marion County Medical Examiner's Office

Was he a veteran?? Ever serve in the military? He may qualify for VA Burial....

And you do NOT have to purchase a casket for a cremation!

No cremation in the United States of America should cost even remotely close to $3,000.
The bill should be a few hundred dollars at the most.
Anything more than that is a simple ripoff.


Tragically, there are many despicable human beings who prey on the bereaved.
They take advantage of a family's emotional state by talking them into buying fancy caskets, stainless steel burial vaults in which to place the casket, and then a giant piece of granite to place on top.


The most savage thieves of all are the cremation companies that talk a grieving family into paying for a casket to be destroyed in a crematory.
There is NO need to pay for a casket if the deceased person will be cremated.
It is very likely that if a cremation company receives a body in a casket, that the casket will not be burned, but will instead be "recycled" - STOLEN AND RESOLD!

Call the medical examiner's office in the city where your grandfather died, and ask for information about an inexpensive cremation referral.
If that is of no use, ask your nearest Catholic Church for such a referral.


I am Roman Catholic.

I am very sorry for your loss.
Peace be with you and your family.

EDIT: Contact a funeral director near you for advice.
Funeral directors regularly make arrangements to transfer the remains of people who have died.
It is less expensive to ship cremains than an intact body.
I can not say strongly enough how important it is for you to contact a funeral director near you for advice.
Make a phone call immediately to get an appointment for tomorrow morning.

I have made such arrangements.
I know you are getting robbed savagely if you are being told that a cremation will cost you $3,000.

EDIT

EDIT: I realize you live far away from where your great grandfather lived.
You still should contact a funeral director near you for advice.

Does he have a lawyer you can call to see any specifications? Any to see if he has such insurance?

No. Medicare can pay only for things that she receives while alive. It cannot pay for anything done after her death. The only possible exception is for medical care that occurs in the first few minutes after she dies, before the doctors realize that she is dead. It cannot pay for any part of cremation, burial, or anything else that happens after it is determined that she is dead.