Every now and then we will touch on a subject that has no correct answer but reasoning for both sides of the issue.  Our goal in the “Controversial Topic” forum will be to provoke thought and discussion among our readers and their co-workers.

Today we touch on the topic of “Should we allow freedom of religion, and all of its different demographic customs, in death related services that are funded by the public?  What we really mean is do people get to choose the services they want even if they are not paying for them — and the public coffers are?

This subject was first broached in Minnesota, where individual counties fund the funerals of indigents about 20 years ago.  One county board announced, in a cost-saving move, that those who apply for county assistance for services must be cremated.  It caused an uproar and the decision had to be rescinded quickly.

Think about it — in today’s world in my community a direct cremation which satisfies the public law and health objective of final disposition of the body will cost anywhere from $1,995 to $2,995.  If that same person was buried to satisfy the public law and health objective of final disposition, even without viewing and embalming, the result would be that a casket, vault, grave, and interment cost would be necessary.  To compare in our area that cost, using list price and the least expensive merchandise would easily be more than $6,000.

The question that we need to discuss is — “Who makes that decision?”  Should a county be able to require direct cremation as the least costly service in the bill that is footed by the county taxpayers.  Or, should the indigent’s family have a choice of what they want?  That would force taxpayers to pay more.  Some counties and cities provide food to hungry residents — but they don’t serve steak and lobster!!

And, where does religion come in?  If we choose cremation only because of price. . . where does that leave those of the Muslim faith who don’t believe in cremation.  I remember when Osama bin Laden was killed, the United States went out of our way to let the Muslim world know that he was buried at sea rather than cremated.  What about a Roman Catholic who wants to be buried in a Catholic cemetery but the costs are greater than the city non-denominational cemetery — does the city spring for the difference?

I believe that this is an interesting topic and as people live longer many will not take care of their civic obligations to provide for their own final disposition and just let the county take care of the issue if they run out of money. . . . in the years to come, will we come to an understanding of how we will handle this?[wpforms id=”436″ title=”true” description=”true”]