County may cover costs for residents unable to afford funeral services
WELLINGTON COUNTY – Planning a funeral can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to expenses.
That’s where Wellington County may be able to help.
The county may pay for funeral expenses for deceased individuals who were residents of Guelph or Wellington County, and who don’t have enough money in their estate to cover the cost of a basic funeral, burial and/or cremation, according to the county’s website.
“Those residents can be in receipt of Ontario Works or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). They can be low-income residents or just transient individuals with no fixed address,” county eligibility and special benefits unit manager Tyler Pettipiere told the Advertiser.
Eligibility for assistance is based on the assets and financial situation of the deceased.
“The five year average of funerals assisted is about 85 ... and the split is about 60 in the city and 25 in the county,” Pettipiere said.
How to apply
An application must be completed with a county social services staff member. It can be completed by next of kin, another family member, trustee, power of attorney or other person with responsibility for arranging a funeral.
“What we’re reviewing is their income and assets to see if they qualify,” Pettipiere said.
Applicants must call the county office at 519-837-2600 to schedule an appointment and complete funeral assistance paperwork.
Social services will not reimburse an applicant for any funeral expenses paid before being approved.
After applying
Social services staff will determine if there is a financial need and will notify an applicant if approved.
If an applicant has the correct documentation, such as the death certificate, needed for approval then “it can happen fairly quickly ... we could reach out to the funeral home and the cemetery and get the whole process rolling that same day,” Pettipiere said.
“We want to help them as soon as possible and provide that closure,” he added.
Applicants should advise the funeral service provider they are receiving assistance.
The funeral home, cemetery or religious institution should help make arrangements in accordance with the approved services, items and rates.
Social services staff will pay the funeral service providers directly and additional payments from family or friends to upgrade approved services are not permitted when accessing county support.
The funeral service has a cap of $5,476 before tax and a maximum of $1,300 for cemetery costs.
Costs are covered through the county’s discretionary funds, Pettipiere said, adding the county can “recover any amount that has been expended for the cost of the funeral from the estate.”
That “could include the CPP death benefits, the last ODSP payment [and] any bank account balances,” he said.
County staff can assist applicants with follow-ups or ongoing tasks after a funeral service.
“Our services uphold society’s obligation to treat every person with humanity regardless of income,” Pettipiere said.
