Why Illinois Can’t Afford its Poor Dead

Ward Room

The state of Illinois has reached a new level of broke. Come Monday, it won’t have enough cash to bury its indigent dead.

Illinois officials sent a letter to more than 600 funeral directors around the state to let them know there’s no money for funerals for individuals on public assistance.

“We got that letter,” said Jonathon Szykowny, owner and director of Szykowny Funeral Home. “I’m extremely upset by it. … I would be very concerned that during extreme economic times that some families can’t provide the necessary funds to bury their loved ones.

Sometimes God doesn’t call during the best economic times and families can’t afford to pay for a funeral and need help”

via Why Illinois Can’t Afford its Poor Dead | NBC Chicago.