Saskatchewan Funeral Insurance News
Robert was a poor, homeless and addicted Saskatchewanian but when he went to Carmichael Outreach in Regina, he learned something about everyone and knew everyone’s name. According to Tyler Gray an employee at the charity, when Robert died, his family, Carmichael staff and friends had time to say goodbye and to tell about how the death affected them.
However, Gray fears that the moments could be lost for the poorest of Saskatchewan. Starting from July 1, 2017, the Saskatchewan government began cutting the amount it will pay for the funerals of people on social assistance. In its March 2017 budget, the government said it would cover the cost of transfers, basic body preparation, regulatory fees, an urn or a standard casket. But the family will be responsible for services or viewings.
Gray said the new regulation is just dehumanizing people who are already living on the margins of the community. According to the Saskatchewan government, the province will level up with other Canadian jurisdictions with the change. Furthermore, the cash-strapped provincial government could save $1 million in 2017 owing to the change in order to make up for its $1.3 billion deficit.
Elissa Aitken, executive director of program and service design with the Ministry of Social Services said that it is a refocusing of the basic benefits to focus on the disposition costs of the funeral. Aitken further pointed out that the most difficult choices the government has to face in the budget are looking at the benefits that are beyond the basic needs such as helping people to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads in tough times and so forth.
Furthermore, Saskatchewan pays for about 400 funerals in a year. Tom Geiger who works with the Saskatchewan Board of Funeral Homes said the group understands that the government needs to save but the current move will affect people at the margin of the society. Geiger further added that the need for a funeral is not just about dollars and cents, there is some emotional importance attached to it.
To learn more about Saskatchewan funeral insurance news, click here.