When I look at the long-term trends of democratic countries — countries that I define by having free and fair elections for leaders — I see historical movement towards more “socially economic” values.  For instance, when I look at European countries that were founded much earlier than the United States I sense a pattern of less self-reliance among individuals and more social equality of government than one might see in the United States.

I’m not taking a pro or con viewpoint of that — it just seems like reality to me.  I traveled first to Europe in 1991 and it was on that trip that I noticed some of the differences between the countries I traveled in and the United States.  Once of the things that stood out to me was a sense of self-reliance being chipped away at over the years and replaced by a sense of a greater societal care in these countries with longer histories than the United States.

I think that is easy to see when you look at health care or higher education.  While there are good things and probably not so good things about social health care, the reality is that democracies that have been a round a long time seem to operate with that type of health care system.  The United States, which will turn 250 years old next year, still operates its health care system in a quasi-free market system.  And, I think, not necessarily for the better, some day that will change.

I have this vision of societies as they change.  The vision is that of a rock — in America’s case maybe it is Plymouth Rock.  As the years go by that rock gets pieces of its original values “chipped off” by government legislation.  And, when those pieces get “chipped off” they can never be put back in place again. . . . Again, for good or bad, the rock, or country, is never again the same as when it began.

As America moves forward I can envision some of our voters determining that Death Care expenses should not be a part of self-reliance of citizens but a social benefit of living in this democracy.  There is, by some, a foundational value that encourages costs to be shared by all.

While we have a $255 death benefit throught Social Security (you can read about that history here), just last September Senate File 5178 was introduced into the United States Senate.  That bill, which appears to be either held up in committee at this time, suspended because of the new congress, or simply forgotten because it was an election year ploy, was co-sponsored by two of America’s best known social-leaning senators — Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

That bill would amend the Social Security Act to include a $2,900 death benefit, increased annually by the Consumer Price Index, from the current $255.  You can learn more about the bill here.

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  I think that the idea of this bill shows a little about what is wrong with American government.  Everybody wants a benefit, especially when society pays for it. . . .and for politicians, giving benefits can get votes. . . . (Check the timing on the aforementioned bill, S. 5178 — it was introduced and received publicity just six weeks prior to the 2024 Presidential election).

One problem with this type of solution, in addition to the possible reasons for the timing of the introduction, in America is that the amount suggested, $2900, then becomes a subtle suggestion to a financial number that many may believe is the price they should pay for services.  With the current $255 benefit, the number is small enough that nobody believes that they can get services for that price.

I hope it doesn’t happen but I can see, and this introduced bill indicates, that there seems to be solutions in search of problems in Washington, DC.  However, I see the eventual passage of items like this as our country grows older and many of our residents believe in “Social economics” rather than “self-reliance” for their economic well-being.

Maybe I’m wrong, but market pricing and market solutions are a far better world for the Death Care profession to live in than one that is operated with government subsidies, payments, and increasing government regulations.

More news from the world of Death Care:

• Touring the Ohio sites of our 25th President, William McKinley.  (Burial monument photo)  Gazette News (OH)
• Second Saturday Summer Clean-ups with the Friends of Kalamazoo Cemeteries.  Now Kalamazoo (MI)
• Water cremation and human composting could be offered instead of traditional funerals.  Sky News (Great Britain)
• Judge orders new auction on Shepherd Memorial Park.  Hendersonville Lightning (NC)

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