State Senator Herron Gaston is proposing a minimal burial benefit of $1,000 – $2,000 for burdened families especially those whose loved ones have died tragically.
From Frank Recchia, News 12:
State Sen. Herron Gaston says he’s pushing for a bill in the next legislative session that would explore the idea of using tax dollars to help families who cannot afford to bury a loved one.
“It has gotten to the point where people can’t afford to die,” said Gaston.
The bill is also being supported by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who says these kinds of expenses can be “backbreaking” financially for a family.
“The fact that people can’t afford to bury loved one, in effect, can’t afford to die, is not just a financial issue, it’s a public health issue,” said Blumenthal.
While both lawmakers say the idea is sure to encounter strong opposition, a Bridgeport mother who lost her daughter says it would have the full support of her family.
Full story here
I have not spoken with Senator Gaston about this subject. And I do not know the experiences that support Senator Blumenthal’s support in “exploring” this subject.
However, as someone who began a career at age 21 in the area, fresh from college graduation, to learn how to sell life insurance, I can assure you that the number of folks interested in talking about the subject of death expenses was tiny. And finding their own funds, setting them aside and at the ready for a known event is not something that everyone automatically considers or acts on, even as they age, including being subject to medical issues that increase the odds of earlier mortality. Insurance expenses likely increase.
Using the words “can’t afford to die” seems like this is something to plan for, as in, “can’t afford a Maserati, a month long cruise, a first house of my own, a college education, etc.” That seems a silly narrative in which to trust. Dieing comes to each of us. Most often it is at an unknown time.
What happens when a family has neither the funds on hand, the opportunity to access funds, and a municipality must shoulder a burden? I do not know. But surely some facts are available from those who run funeral homes as they cooperate in a current system and likely may not receive full coverage of their time, resources, or miscellaneous expenses.
If exploration means a deeper dive into the subject beyond the statement attributed to Sen Blumenthal that it is a public health issue I inquire: How so? And where does it stack up to other public health issues for the living that are not offered adequate public funding. If burials occur below the surface at six feet or thereabout, doesn’t this subject require more detail beyond scratching the surface to support common sense alternatives for legislators to consider? Time will tell.