BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS

I. PURPOSE:

Burial arrangements are to be verified or established at the time of admission to assure that the resident will be prepared and interred in a dignified manner.

II. PROCEDURE:

A. Social Services shall:

 

1. Advise the responsible agent that burial arrangements are required.

a. Any burial expenses that have not been pre-paid by the day of admission may be considered as an allowable deduction for up to $7500, divided equally over 24 months.

 

2. Verify the documentation of any pre-paid burial arrangements and determine that the application identifies the appropriate responsible agent for funeral expenses. 3. Instruct the responsible person that only clothing and adaptive equipment will be released at the time of death without a Surrogates Order.

B. The Supervisor of Patient Accounts shall:

 

1. Consider and determine the allowable funeral deduction when determining the care and maintenance fee. 2. Not release any valuable assets at the time of death until a Surrogates Order is received.

C. The States responsibility for burial:
 

1. The State of New Jersey and Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs will only be considered the last resource for payment of funeral and burial expenses, if the resident has no funds to pay for his/her own burial. 2. Any funds of the deceased, held in a members account, shall first be applied toward the expenses incurred for funeral and burial costs prior to the balance being released to the estate upon receipt of a Surrogates Order. 3. When the state assumes payment, the locally contracted agent for funeral and burial will be utilized. This funding will be requested through state appropriations.

Revised: July 1998

BUSINESS OFFICE  - 44-03-005

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