Who pays for funerals of the indigent?
Other than the family, there are veteran, union and other organizational benefits to pay for funerals, including, in certain instances, a lump sum death payment from Social Security. In most states, some forms of public aid allowances are available from the state, county or city or a combination. Most funeral directors are aware of various benefits and know how to obtain them for the indigent. However, funeral directors often absorb costs above and beyond what is provided by agencies to insure the deceased a respectable burial.
