The Seneca-Cayuga Nation offers assistance to alleviate the bereavement costs for tribal member families who have lost a loved one. The program is funded by tribal administration and is used to help with funeral, memorial service, headstone, and others’ costs that are incurred when someone dies. According to the National Funeral Directors Association of America, the average funeral cost is $5500-$7200 depending on what the family chooses to include. The current bereavement program provided through tribal administration is covering much, and in some cases all, of the average cost of funeral services. 

 Statistics of Average American Funeral Costs Sourced by: Choice Mutual Funeral Services

The SCN Bereavement benefit service includes assistance up to a cap of $6500 for the family to use as needed for bereavement expenses. All tribal members, regardless of age or location, are encouraged to access and utilize the benefit. Applicants can find details and download the application at www.sctribe.com under the services tab. Email or fax a completed application and make sure you include all the required paperwork. The application must be submitted within six months of the death.

Emily Morris from the SCN Benefits department shared her focus for the program: “Death is an aspect of life, but it can be a difficult season for anyone. We want this benefit to alleviate some of the stress people experience due to the overwhelming costs of a funeral. This allows them to have one less thing to be concerned with during an already difficult time.”

Contact Emily Morris in the Benefits Department at (918)-791-6025 with any additional questions.