Jasper County funeral assistance now only covers cremations

Jasper County is now only allowing cremation services for indigent burials. The board of supervisors approved the policy changes for Jasper County General Assistance in a 3-0 vote this past week after discussing the matter briefly during a work session the week before.

Connie McQuiston, director of general assistance, said indigent burial services had previously funded traditional burials or cremations. However, the new policy now only allows cremations to be covered by the county. McQuiston said the vast majority of the requests have been for cremation services.

“I see that trend continuing,” she said. “Along with that I would ask that we raise the maximum allowed for that service. Currently, it’s at $800, and I would like to raise that to $1,200. The guidelines pertaining to that category have not been updated for six years. So this will bring us more in line with other counties.”

Indigent burials are offered to individuals whose next of kin lack the financial means to pay for funerals.

The new policy comes into effect Sept. 1. According to the new policy, assistance may be granted to eligible applicants for cremations. The maximum funding of $1,200 is to cover the transfer of remains to the funeral home, the cremation, the cremation permit and a receptacle for the remains.