FCAGa Indigent Burial Guidelines

✅ What To Do First – Step-by-Step Checklist

1. Know That Georgia Law May Provide Help

   Georgia law (O.C.G.A. §36-12-5) says each county must help with a “decent” burial or cremation if:

   • The person who died — and their family — have no money
   • No one else is able or willing to pay

   ⚠️ But each county does things differently. Some have clear rules. Others make decisions case by case.

2. Gather Key Information

   Before making calls, write down:

   • ✅ Full name and birthdate of the person
   • ✅ County where they lived or are now
   • ✅ Your relationship to them
   • ✅ Whether they had any assets (insurance, property, money)
3. Call the County Where the Death Happened

   Use Google.com search for the contact information for the County that you need to call.

   • 📞 Ask for the DFCS office (Department of Family and Children Services)
   • ✅ Say: “I need help with the Indigent Burial or Pauper’s Burial program.”
   • ✅ If they’re unsure of who handles Indigent Burials in their county, ask for the county coroner or administrator
4. Use the State Directory for Help

   The State of Georgia provides a directory of County Contacts for Indigent Burials. Unfortunately, it is incomplete and often out of date but you should try it:

   • ✅ Start with the link for “Georgia Deputy Registrars for Disposition Permits".
   • ⚠️ If a funeral director is the only contact listed, try reaching the coroner or DFCS first using Google Search to get contact info for your county.
   • Go to our Indigent Burials Review page for additional resources
5. Talk to Funeral Homes With Caution

   ⚠️ Funeral homes may suggest services that sound nice but are expensive.

   • ❗ If you cannot pay, say so clearly. Do not agree to anything unless you're sure you can afford it.
   • ✅ You can say:

   “We need more time. Can we wait until tomorrow before deciding?...
   We’re still talking as a family and need time to think.”

6. Slow Down and Ask Questions Until You Get Answers

   You may feel pressure to decide quickly. But it’s OK to pause.

   You can ask, again, and again until you get an answer that makes sense to you:

   • “What happens if we wait until tomorrow?”
   • “If I pay for this funeral, who will pay for mine?”

   In fact, these are not life and death decisions. However, they are often difficult and sometimes painful. Take the time to make sure you understand your options and what these options will mean for you both now and later when things have settled down.

7. Write Everything Down 📝

   Keep notes:

   • Who you talk to:
   • Name:
   • Date & Time:
   • Phone:
   • Email:
   • Location:
   • What they told you
   • Any promises or next steps

   Note that these are not life and death decisions. They are important, difficult, and sometimes painful decisions. You will make better decisions when you understand your options and what those options could mean.

8. Decide, then Act

   Once you have looked at your options decide what you want to do.

   Tell the people in charge of the Indigent Burial program what you have decided.

   Keep a written record of what you have decided and who you told.

   Confirm what you need to do next. Then do it.