Persons who can afford burial still apply for grants

In its report tabled in the House of Assembly this month, the Public Assistance Committee indicated that a number of persons have misrepresented facts regarding their ability to fund funeral arrangements for their loved ones.

The Committee, which falls under the Social Development Department, said it received 30 applications for burial grants in 2015.

It turned down 11 of them, and one was withdrawn.

According to the Committee headed by Pastor Calvin Mills, most of the 11 applications were turned down because investigations discovered that “the applicant’s family possessed sufficient means to fund the necessary arrangements” regarding burial.

Other reasons for turning down applications for burial grants were late submission of information, and the fact that applications lacked ‘sufficient’ information.

The Public Assistance Committee said, in 2015, it expended $38,995 to assist families with burial/funerals for their loved ones.