Funerals, Burials, and Cremations Assistance

The township is only mandated by law to provide funeral & burial or cremation services to an INDIVIDUAL who has died within the township leaving no money or other real assets to defer funeral expenses. The law does NOT mandate us to assist families with funeral expenses, but the township may under some conditions consider assistance with expenses for final arrangements. Before proceeding with a request for township assistance, applicants should consider all of the following:

This does not apply if the county coroner assumes jurisdiction of an unclaimed body under Ind. Code § 36-2-14-16.

If an individual dies in the Township without leaving:

• Money;
• Real or personal property;
• Other assets that may be liquidated;
• Other means necessary to defray funeral expenses; and
• The individual is not a resident of another Township in Indiana;

The Township Trustee shall provide a person to superintend and authorize either the funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual. If the Township Trustee determines that the deceased individual is a resident of another Township in Indiana, the Township Trustee shall notify the Trustee of that Township, who shall then provide a person to superintend and authorize either the funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual.

The necessary and reasonable expenses of the funeral and burial or cremation, including a burial plot, shall be paid in the same manner as other claims for Township Assistance. The Trustee shall determine the cost of the items and services required by law for the funeral and burial of an individual, including a burial plot, and for the cremation of an individual. The amount set by the Trustee for administration of these services is found at Section V, Table E. The Trustee may deduct from the maximum amount the following:

• Any monetary benefits that the deceased individual is entitled to receive from a state or federal program.
• Any money that another person provides on behalf of the deceased individual.

The Township Trustee who provides funeral and burial expense or cremation benefits to a deceased individual is entitled to a priority claim, to the extent of the cost of funeral and burial or cremation benefits paid by the Township Trustee, against any money or other personal property held by the coroner under Ind. Code § 36-2-14-11.

The Township Trustee may not cremate a deceased individual if:

• The deceased individual; or
• A surviving family member of the deceased individual has objected in writing to cremation.

Clients are responsible to make arrangements for payment with the Trustee prior to funeral or burial services for the deceased.

The Trustee does not supplement the cost of services beyond those required by state law; nor supplement other means of payment for services.

The Trustee will not pay for the cost of transporting the remains of any deceased indigent person back to the Township or to any place outside the Township.

The next of kin of the deceased or the funeral director may apply for burial assistance. The person making the application will be responsible for verifying eligibility. A signed affidavit will be required. A death certificate may also be required.

For the purposes of the consideration of Township responsibility, a hospital shall not be considered as a place of residence, but a nursing home or similar residential facility may be considered as a place of residence.

Each Township shall continue to independently conduct Township burial with the vendors of their respective choice as is most economical and efficient for that Township.

Burial Assistance (Maximum Amounts)

The Trustee shall superintend or provide a person to superintend (take charge) and authorize either the funeral and burial or cremation of the deceased individual.

The next of kin or member of the decedent’s household shall complete the Application for Assistance (Form TA-1) on behalf of the decedent.  In the absence of kin or other household member, the Trustee shall complete the application on their behalf.

The Township will also require a “death certificate” and an itemized (invoice) statement from the funeral home before payment can be authorized.

The total cost of a burial and funeral or cremation and funeral for any deceased indigent person, including burial plot may not exceed $1,200 for cremation or burial. 

Contributions or payment of benefits from any other source may be deducted from the township’s allowable maximum.

The total cost of Cremation and/or burial may not exceed $1,200.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND

Fairfield Township will consider requests for assistance with a direct cremation or an immediate burial. Unless there is a written declaration of objection to cremation signed by the decedent and filed with the township the township preferred method of disposal will be direct cremation.

Direct cremation means the body is transported by the funeral home directly to the crematory. (Cremains will be made available to the family upon request.)

Immediate burial means the body is transported by the funeral home, placed in a casket, and transported directly to the cemetery for burial (including a vault.)

The township will not assist with memorial or funeral services, visitation, embalming, obituaries, headstones or grave markers, or other products or services not associated with an immediate burial or direct cremation.

If the decedent or family has plots which are pre-paid in other cemeteries, the township may consider their use provided the costs involved in doing so fall within the parameters established by the township.

Once approved for township assistance, all contact with the funeral home will be made by or through the township superintendent designated by the trustee to contract the final arrangements with the funeral home.

If approved for township assistance, the applicant may be required to sign one or more of the following documents:

1. A Waiver of Right to Make Final Arrangements (must be signed)
2. A Standard Repayment Agreement (for any funds received on behalf of the decedent including government payments, insurance payments, and/or individual or institutional collections)
3. An Indemnification Agreement (holding harmless the township and its agents)