Department of Social Services
6 Judson Street
Canton, New York 13617

Phone: (315) 379-2111
Fax: (315) 379-2278

Chris Rediehs, Commissioner

Social Services Assistance With Burials

Contact Person:
Dana Baxter, Resource Agent
St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services
(315) 379-2164

Brief Description of Services:

If necessary, the St. Lawrence County Department of Social Services sometimes can pay for indigent burials or cremations when County residents do not have adequate resources to fully cover the final expenses of loved ones.  When funeral arrangements are being made and family members express that someone has died without sufficient resources for a burial or cremation and they cannot assume responsibility for paying all the expenses, they can apply to Department of Social Services for assistance.  The Indigent Burial Application forms are available at all funeral homes in the County, and must be completed listing all income and resources of legally responsible relatives as well as of the deceased.  Applications are reviewed by the Resource Agent and eligibility is determined.

Indigent burial provide for very limited funeral services and would be considered a last-resort payment source.