Senate approves bill seeking to provide free funeral services to poor families
The Senate has approved a bill that would provide free funeral services to poor families.
Senate Bill No. 2965, also known as the Free Funeral Services Act, was approved on its third reading on June 2.
According to the bill, free funeral services shall be provided to families who are in crisis, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. These will include indigent families or those affected by calamities, disasters, or other emergency circumstances that prevent them from affording dignified funeral services.
Accredited funeral establishments anywhere in the country will offer the said services.
Filipinos who may benefit are those whose income falls below the poverty threshold as defined by the National Economic and Development Authority, and those who cannot provide their minimum basic needs.
A qualified poor family will receive an "Indigent Funeral Package" that covers the processing of funeral documents, embalming, burial or interment services, transportation, cremation, and inurnment.
The package may also include a casket, urn, or venue offered by accredited funeral service providers.
Additionally, the bereaved family or a representative must present the following required documents to avail of the indigent funeral package:
- Valid ID of the claimant or beneficiary
- Death certificate issued by the hospital or city/municipal health office, or certification from the tribal chieftain
- Funeral contract signed by the representative of the deceased's family, the funeral establishment, and an authorized DSWD personnel
- A social case study prepared by a registered social worker
The bill also states that free funeral services will be provided to poor families per death of a member by accredited funeral establishments.
Penalties shall be imposed on individuals or establishments found to have fraudulently availed or facilitated the availment of said services. They may face imprisonment of six months and a fine not more than P500,000.
