Cape County now under revised policy for indigent burials

Cape Girardeau County is now using a revised policy for handling death arrangements for indigent people due to a growing number who have needed the service in recent years.

A rising number of requests, including six so far in 2012, caused county commissioners to take a look earlier in the summer at how to change the service and incur lower costs. The county's fund for the burials went into the red in July.

The county's policy now allows the $600 it will contribute toward an indigent burial to pay for cremation and disposal of cremated remains. Space in local cemeteries was also becoming an issue, according to commissioners.

Associate Commissioner Paul Koeper said the county's policy is in line with other Missouri counties, such as Boone County, that are "doing a good job" dealing with increased numbers of indigent burial requests.

As part of the new policy, the county will not pay for cremation unless an affidavit proving a deceased person's property is worth less than $600 and that no responsible party can be found to pay expenses is turned in by the funeral home providing the cremation.

The county was able to replenish its indigent burial fund recently with a donation from the Senior Citizens Service Fund Board and a guarantee of partial reimbursements from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks of Springfield, Mo.

Commissioners tabled one indigent burial request during Monday's meeting because an affidavit from a funeral home had not yet been received.

Commissioners also approved adding $3,689 to a contract with Boulder Construction for roofing on the Common Pleas Courthouse and juvenile assessment center, both in Cape Girardeau. Koeper said the adjustment was needed so longer-lasting shingles could be installed on both buildings. A $2,218 addition was also made to the contract to comply with an amended wage order.

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