[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 37 (Friday, March 11, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E460]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE INDIGENT FUNERAL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT ACT OF 2011

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                           HON. PAUL C. BROUN

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 11, 2011

  Mr. BROUN of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing the 
Indigent Funeral Expense Reimbursement Act of 2011. This common sense 
legislation would allow for up to a $3,000 federal tax credit for the 
providing of individual funeral services. Additionally, this 
legislation would not usurp existing state tax incentives for the 
funeral services of indigent individuals, but instead would supplement 
them.
  Funeral homes respectfully and diligently provide the last measure of 
care for those in our society who have passed away. Oftentimes the 
family of the deceased or the deceased's estate takes care of the 
funeral expenses. However, in some cases, most especially in the case 
of indigent or unclaimed deceased individuals, the means to pay for 
these solemn services simply do not exist. Typically, cities, counties 
and states are left to cover the bill, and states often have tax 
credits or tax deductions available to funeral homes that provide 
services for indigent care. However, in these trying times, these state 
tax incentives are among the first cuts being made.
  Across the country, because of an influx of the number of deceased 
individuals and their families now befitting indigent status, funeral 
homes and mortuaries are being forced to shoulder the financial burden 
of providing the last service of a person's life. This straightforward 
tax credit would simply remove the financial burden and allow funeral 
homes to provide the care and services that they are trained to 
provide.

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