The Phaneuf Family Foundation launches summer 2019 with a three-fold mission:
- Providing financial assistance for funeral and cremation arrangements for needy individuals and families
- Providing financial support to hospice and other caregiver organizations
- Providing scholarships to students attending New England Mortuary College
“The Phaneuf Family Foundation is an opportunity to assist families in need, as well as those who pass away without family members,” said Arthur O. “Buddy” Phaneuf, President of Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium. He also serves as a trustee and Chairman of the Board of the foundation. “I am also excited that we will be able to support the next generation of funeral directors via scholarships.”
Financial assistance has long been available through city and town welfare departments to New Hampshire and Vermont families who cannot afford the total cost of a cremation or funeral service. Welfare departments will typically pay $750, and the most inexpensive service at funeral homes in those states averages $1,000 or more, meaning that families still need to come up with the remainder of money.
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Additionally, there are circumstances where a family may not receive welfare approval for a cremation or funeral because of existing employment. However, that doesn’t mean they have the money on-hand to pay for an unexpected funeral.
“We have encountered many families that need help even with that small amount. This foundation will help fill that need,” Phaneuf said. “We believe everyone deserves a dignified farewell.”
The foundation’s maximum distribution amount to any one request by a family, organization or student will not exceed $1,000. Requests for distributions may be made by a family member, friend, funeral director, social worker, hospice or nursing home employee or other interested party.
Requests for donations to hospice or caregiver organizations should be made by the director of the hospice or caregiver organization. Requests for scholarships should be made by the student. (The scholarship portion of the program will likely launch in a year or two, Phaneuf said.)
Donations are eligible for deceased residents of the states of New Hampshire and Vermont, and the donations can be used to cover a number of costs, ranging from a transportation fee for a service to a complete cremation. Visit the foundation’s website for more information on applying for funds or making a donation.
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