With the spirits of the righteous made perfect, give rest, O Lord, to the soul of Thy servant who has fallen asleep, and preserve it in that life of blessedness which is with Thee, O Lover of mankind.
In the place of Thy rest, O Lord, where all the saints repose, give rest to the soul of Thy servant who has fallen asleep, for Thou only are the Lover of mankind.
Does the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society Charitable Funeral and Burial Program only help Orthodox Christians?
The primary work of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society Charitable Funeral and Burial Program is to provide families who cannot afford it the opportunity to provide a loved one with a dignified and proper funeral and burial. While our work is primarily directed to Orthodox Christians, financial assistance is available to other Christians for whom funeral and burial costs impose a severe financial burden.
Does the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society Charitable Funeral and Burial Program pay for cremations?
No. Because the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society is a faith-based organization under the auspices of the Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada, the Society adheres to the teachings of the Orthodox Catholic Church, which does not permit or practice cremation, except when ordered to do so by civil law (i.e., pandemic or other health reasons, or local ordinance). No exceptions are made to this rule.
Is there an income threshold in order for someone to receive financial assistance from the Society?
Yes. In order to receive assistance from the Society, the following financial thresholds must be met:
- For a family of two, the maximum annual combined (household) income must be $22,500 or less.
- For a family of three, the maximum annual combined (household) income must be $30,600 or less.
- For a family of four, the maximum annual combined (household) income must be $36,750 or less.
- For a family of five, the maximum annual combined (household) income must be $42,300 or less.
- For a family of six, the maximum annual combined (household) income must be $49,250 or less.
If the decedent lived alone, the surviving family member(s) responsible for making funeral arrangements must make $49,250 or less, either individually or combined, to be eligible to request assistance.
What is the definition of "family" under the giving guidelines?
For the purpose of providing charitable funeral and burial assistance, the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society defines a family as being comprised of one of the following:
- Husband, wife, and dependent children living together in the same domicile.
- Father (wife deceased) and dependent children living together in the same domicile.
- Mother (husband deceased) and dependent children living together in the same domicile.
- Husband, wife, dependent children, grandparent, or grandparents living together in the same domicile.
- Legal guardian(s) and dependent children living together in the same domicile.
- Aunt(s) and/or Uncle(s) living with dependent nieces and nephews.
In the case of a decedent who lived alone, unless the person was indigent, funeral arrangements must be made by one of the following:
- Surviving parent(s).
- Surviving grandparent(s).
- Surviving child or children.
- Surviving uncle(s) and/or aunt(s)
- Surviving nieces and/or nephews.
- Surviving cousins.
- Decedent's estate.
If the person was indigent, the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society will take charge of the deceased and provide and pay for all funeral and burial services and related expenses.
