Veteran Burial Fund Rejects Majority Of Applications

OTTAWA - A federal burial fund meant to give impoverished veterans a final, dignified salute has rejected over two-thirds of the applications it's received since 2006.

And of the requests that are accepted, Ottawa contributes just over $3,600 toward the funeral cost of destitute ex-soldiers, a figure that is substantially lower than what some social services departments pay towards the burial of the homeless and those on welfare.

Alberta Provincial Care Burials Being Done On The Cheap, Say Funeral Home Operators

EDMONTON - The Alberta government says it is reviewing its policies after funeral home operators accused it of conducting burials for those in care cheaply and disrespectfully.

The Alberta Funeral Service Association, in a letter to the Opposition Liberals, says tight-fisted government funding is forcing it to bury child wards in cheaper, adult-sized caskets rather than smaller ones.

"In no uncertain terms should an infant or small child be buried in an adult-sized casket," association president Mitch Thomson said in the letter.

"It is inappropriate to them, and insensitive to their caregivers and loved ones.

"The province is offering nothing more than a disposal service for these young and innocent people."

The association recently cut its contract with the province to bury poor people or children and severely handicapped people who are wards of the province.

Liberal critic Laurie Blakeman took the issue up with Human Services Minister Dave Hancock during question period in the legislature Monday.