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When my mother died at home, I phoned around and to the Funeral Home that advertised ‘from” a low figure. My mother was a strong opponent of expensive funerals, after reading and remembering for years ‘The American Way of Death” by Jessica Mitford, so I asked for the cheapest coffin and cremation. They told me that was only available for Welfare funerals. I said I would report them for misleading advertising. They crumpled, and provided the cheapest coffin. We covered it with M’s loved bedspread, which made me and my sisters feel that it was really her, even though we opted for no open coffin. It was all fine.

I’d say don’t get pulled into something ridiculously expensive that is going to be burned or buried, even if your mother is not as strong minded as mine was.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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When my mother died at home, I phoned around and to the Funeral Home that advertised ‘from” a low figure. My mother was a strong opponent of expensive funerals, after reading and remembering for years ‘The American Way of Death” by Jessica Mitford, so I asked for the cheapest coffin and cremation. They told me that was only available for Welfare funerals. I said I would report them for misleading advertising. They crumpled, and provided the cheapest coffin. We covered it with M’s loved bedspread, which made me and my sisters feel that it was really her, even though we opted for no open coffin. It was all fine.

I’d say don’t get pulled into something ridiculously expensive that is going to be burned or buried, even if your mother is not as strong minded as mine was.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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sensei2: Imho, the state cremates the body.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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If you have family in a cemetery you can ask if the urn can be buried with a loved one. But I have found most cemeteries now charge to open up a hole to put the urn in, and its not cheap. If a Vet, you may get buried free in a Vet cenetery and the plaque is paid by the government. May have to pay for the opening if a county Vet cemetery. National cemeteries everything is paid for.

Life Insurance policies. Unless designated for funeral expenses, the beneficiary gets the money and does not have to use it for the principles funeral expenses. I saw this happen.

Funeral homes, it is my understanding that passed the 3 days allowed, the estate is charged for everyday after.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Geaton777 Mar 18, 2025
The cemetary where my Grandparents are buried would not allow my cousin to sprinkle some of our 2 Aunts' ashes on their grave.
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It’s not the state, it’s the county . The funeral home holds the body while the due diligence is done regarding persons, not family, finances. The body will eventually be cremated and a family designee can arrange pick up of the cremains at no cost. If the cremains need to be mailed, the accepting person will need to pay.
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Reply to Jdjn99
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My father in law had died suddenly and unexpectedly at 54 while on disability. Our county buried him after my mother in law proved they were indigent . Cremation wasn’t an option because of his size .
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Reply to Care4sibling
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Edownietammy79 Mar 18, 2025
I am reading your post and what do you mean because of his size?
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Was there a Will? Decendents?
I was the only child. My folks had no Will. They had a life insurance policy. Someone had life insurance somewhere. I had to file a petition of probate to become the Administrator of my mom's estate. I sold their house to pay for my mom's care. My dad already died prior. I think no one once to take responsibility for the deceased.
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Reply to Onlychild2024
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My experience with a family member that died and nobody would/could pay was, the state medical examiner holds the body for a set amount of time and then the state pays for a cremation, a family member can receive the ashes, if not, then they essentially get disposed of. In my city, that means like garbage is disposed of.

Your medical examiner will be able to educate on their process.
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Reply to Isthisrealyreal
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If the deceased person (or his/her spouse, siblings, or adult children) are members or regular attenders of a church, synagogue, mosque, or temple, there is usually no charge for use of the facility. It's customary (but not required) to pay the officiant and musician(s), A group (hospitality team, kitchen ministry team, or whatever team name they use) will usually provide light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages for the reception in the parish hall. Some houses of worship have memorial gardens (my Anglican parish has one). Burying an urn w/the person's cremains shouldn't incur a charge, but a memorial plaque with her/his name and date of birth/date of death will. I cannot imagine that there are not some family or friends who wouldn't cover these pretty minimal expenses. If they won't, clergy usually have discretionary funds that they can use for this purpose.
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Reply to swmckeown76
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Talk to a Funeral home to see what resourses are available. Sometimes the State will pay. If the person was on Medicaid, they will pay towards a cremation. Cremation is the cheapest way to go. You do not need to have a viewing or service.

In my state, a coroner does not get involved unless the death is suspicious. If the person was on hospice, the body goes to the Funeral Home requested. If under a doctors care, like a cardiologist, for 6 months before death, a coroner is not involved.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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Family pays, or, if family has no money, and it isn't important to them the disposal of a dead body that is in no way any longer their loved one, the family can refuse to pick up the body. The coroner will move to storage and burial according to your county's rules.

Do know, if you are refusing a body, that the step taken by all funeral and crematoriums that you must now do yourself is report to Social Security by phone the death of the loved one. I "imagine" the state, country, whatever does this, but wouldn't leave that you change.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Here is a website that may help.

https://www.us-funerals.com/indigent-burials-and-cremations/
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Reply to 97yroldmom
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The state cremates them. If there's no estate, the state cannot go after any family for repayment. The next of kin can claim the ashes. If no one claims the ashes they are dealt with by the funeral home in whatever way they have.
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