‘Some flexibility’ on funeral costs for poor: minister

Saskatchewan’s Minister of Social Services will be meeting with representatives from the province’s funeral homes Friday to discuss the issue of paying for burials of those who can’t afford them.

Each year, there are about 700 people in this province who do not have enough money when they pass away to cover the cost of their death.

Tina Beaudry-Mellor says it is “too early to speculate” on what the outcome of that meeting will be, but she did signal a willingness to provide “some flexibility on this benefit on a going forward basis.”

The province used to pay $3,850 each for basic funeral expenses. As of Canada Day, the plan as it stands now will see that number reduced to $2,100.

Social Services will only cover basic preparation of a body, transfers, a standard casket or urn and the regulatory fees.

To find a pauper’s grave in Saskatchewan, you likely need to know exactly where it is, because headstones aren’t covered.

When the penniless are buried at the public’s expense, it’s municipalities covering the cost of a plot.

Taxpayers don’t currently pay for flowers, memorial cards, an obituary or fees for a church or clergy. A reception isn’t covered, either.

In 2015, the director of income assistance for Saskatchewan Alan Jones said that, “It’s recognized that the last stages of their life, assisting with the costs to bury (someone) is an equal part of assisting the individual.”

Now, in an effort to reduce a $1.3-billion deficit, Beaudry-Mellor said her priority is on the essentials. The reduction to funeral expenses will save the province about $1 million.

Thursday she told reporters that, given the economic environment we are in, the province is focused on “core” and “essential services” people need.

That, according to her, means food on the table, lights on and roofs over heads.

She admitted those who have had vulnerable loved ones die “probably don’t” care about the province’s financial situation and that these are “not easy decisions.”

NDP social services critic Nicole Rancourt is calling the decision “cold-hearted” and “short-sighted.”

“We need to have a commitment from this minister to provide these services to the most-vulnerable,” she said.

Peter Gilmer of the Regina AntiPoverty Ministry said the province should “take a second look” at this change.