Res. No. 775

Resolution urging New York State to increase the funeral cost limit of burial services for low-income residents of New York from $3,400 to $6,000.

By Council Members Louis, Cabán, Brooks-Powers, Ossé, Banks, Feliz, Riley, Narcisse, Hanif, De La Rosa and Schulman

Whereas, The New York City Human Resource Administration's Office of Burial Services currently offers financial assistance of up to $1,700 for funeral expenses to eligible low-income residents if the total funeral costs do not exceed $3,400; and 

Whereas, According to the National Funeral Directors Association, funeral costs have not risen as fast as the rate of inflation, with the overall rate of inflation over the past two years increasing to 13.6 percent, the median cost of a funeral with a casket and burial increasing only 5.8 percent, and the median cost of a funeral with cremation increasing 8.1 percent over the past two years; and 

Whereas, This disproportionately affects low-income New Yorkers by placing an economic burden on a vulnerable community, where according to “Funeral poverty,” by Victoria Haneman, 40 percent of Americans would have great difficulty covering an unexpected $400 burial expense; and 

Whereas, “Cremation is on the Rise in Black and Latino Communities During COVID-19, Funeral Professionals Say,” by Shantel Riley undergirds that the African American community is mostly vulnerable to the funeral cost limit of burial services, especially after the Covid pandemic with some families pushed to financial limits, cremations have become a more affordable choice - The Wisconsin-based National Funeral Directors Association put the median cost of a funeral and burial in the United States at more than $9,000 in 2019, compare that to about $2,000 for a cremation or about $5,000 for a cremation with embalming, a viewing period and a funeral ceremony; and 

 Whereas, “Rising Funeral Costs Put Pressure on Local Governments,” by Liz Farmer and Matte Quinn states when family members cannot afford to claim a body, the responsibility falls on local governments to handle the remains and there is no comprehensive data on the number of unclaimed bodies in morgues across the country, but low-income New York City residents agree it’s an issue that’s getting worse; and 

Whereas, Liz Farmer and Matte Quinn claim that the mere cost of a cemetery niche to store an urn ranges from $1,900 to $6,500 in the New York city and a $900 check from the city is insufficient for covering the cost; and 

 Whereas, The funeral cost limit creates particular challenges for religious communities, such as Jewish and Muslim residents, whose specific burial practices often exceed this limit; and

Whereas, For many Jews and Muslims, a proper burial is considered an important religious duty, and financial constraints can lead to feelings of distress or guilt if they cannot afford the customary practices; and  

Whereas, Urging New York State to increase the funeral cost limit of burial services for low-income residents of New York allows all people to be buried in the dignity of their customs and it is crucial to the New York City Council because it can make it easier for low-income residents of New York City to afford a dignified burial for a loved one; now, therefore, be it, 

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York urges New York State to increase the funeral cost limit of burial services for low-income residents of New York from $3,400 to $6,000. 

O.O

LS#18726

2/3/2025