Burial Assistance

The Cherokee Nation currently administers a burial assistance program funded through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Cherokee Nation. This program is designed to relieve or totally eliminate the financial hardship associated with traditional funeral cost for indigent impoverished or low income families with little or no resources. The program shall make available two (2) burial assistance options for eligible families to select from. Eligible families must select one of the funeral homes that have an active contract with the Cherokee Nation.

This program is not an entitlement program, meaning that being a member of the Cherokee Nation or any other Federally Recognized Tribe does not automatically make a person eligible for benefits under this program.

ELIGIBILITY STANDARD

1. The deceased must be a member of a Federally Recognized Tribe, verified by a tribal membership card (a blue card for Cherokee Nation Citizens). A white CDIB card is not proof of membership and WILL NOT be accepted.
2. The deceased must have been a resident of the Cherokee Nation jurisdiction for six (6) months prior to date of death.
3. The decease and his/her immediate family can not have resources (life insurance, veterans’ benefits, cash, savings accounts etc.) that meet or exceed 2500.00.
4. The deceased and his/her immediate family can not have income for the PAST TWELVE MONTHS that is greater than 150% of the National Poverty Level income standards. An example would be for a household of two (2), income cannot exceed $1,821.00 for the past twelve (12) months.
5. The family must select one of the funeral homes that currently have an active burial agreement (contract) with the Cherokee Nation.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED FOR APPLICATION

1. Residential verification that the deceased has lived within the Cherokee Nation jurisdiction of the past six (6) months. The document must verify physical location of the residence, such as utility bills, rent receipts with physical location, Department of Human Service statement, statement from nursing home, 911 statements or any other document with physical address.
2. Tribal membership card (a white CDIB card will NOT be accepted for proof of tribal membership).
3. Proof of income for the past twelve month for deceased and his/her immediate family. Verification documents accepted but not limited to, pay stubs, copy of benefit checks if they cover past twelve month, benefit award letters etc.
4. Proof of all available resources, such as but not limited to bank statements, savings account statements, life insurance polices, veterans’ benefit statement, etc.
5. Social security card.

BURIAL SERVICES PROVIDED

OPTION #1

This option is ONLY available to eligible Cherokee Nation Tribal Members and if selected, the service will be paid IN FULL (less any available resources) by the Cherokee Nation, totally eliminating the eligible family of any financial burden normally associated with funeral expense.

This service is very limited and cannot be altered in any way. The service shall provide at minimum of a cloth covered wood casket, concrete outer container/grave liner, tent and cemetery set up, memorial package, one death certificate, burial notice in local paper and the traditional professional service provide by the contracted funeral home conducting the service.

If an eligible family selects cremation, the funeral home will explain the contracted options available to the family and if services are within the contract, this service will also be paid in full.

OPTION #2

This option will be made available for any eligible families where the deceased is NOT a member of the Cherokee Nation, BUT IS a member of another Federally Recognized Tribe. The eligible family can select any funeral service the funeral home will sell them and the Cherokee Nation will pay a one time maximum payment of $2400.00 (less available resources) and the family will be totally responsible for all cost above this amount. The family must meet all income and resource eligibility identified above, as well as the residential requirement for this service.

This option will also be made available to eligible Cherokee Nation Tribal members that may have family members (not living in the deceased immediate household) that wish to upgrade the contracted service identified in Option #1. The eligible Cherokee family can select any service the funeral home will sell them and the Cherokee Nation will make the one time payment in the amount of $2400.00 (less available resources) and the family will be totally responsible for paying the balance.

CONTRACTED FUNERAL HOME

The following funeral homes have active contracts with the Cherokee Nation to provide all services outlined in Option #1 and Option #2 identified above. If the family selects a funeral home that is not listed below, please contact one of the Cherokee Nation offices. This list is always being updated.

CHEROKEE NATION OFFICES

If additional information is needed or a family needs to apply for burial assistance, contact a Family Advocate in the Cherokee Nation office in your area.