An individual who is indigent at time of death may be eligible for assistance with the cost of the burial.
An indigent is a poor person; not penniless but in need and who has no financial support from any other person.
An indigent burial may be available when the City of Ottawa judges that circumstances have left the individual unable to afford the comfort of a funeral or burial ceremony. Jewish Memorial Gardens does not have the resources available to determine whether someone qualifies for an indigent burial, nor the funds available to subsidize the burial.
In such cases, the City of Ottawa offers agreements specifically for funeral and burial expenses of a loved one who has died. The representative of the deceased must apply to, and receive from, the City of Ottawa, agreement that this burial will be accepted as eligible for payment as an indigent burial in order for Jewish Memorial Gardens to proceed.
A monument for the grave is limited to a small marker unless funds are provided to JMG to make up the difference between what the City of Ottawa has provided to what is the normal price of opening & closing the grave.
Please Note: Jewish Memorial Gardens does NOT apply on behalf of the family.
For more details on the City’s policies, please read the City of Ottawa Financial Assistance for Burials Fact Sheet.
To contact the City of Ottawa:
- Dial 613-580-2424
- Press #1 for English
- Choose ‘Option 4’ for “Community & Social Services” (You will need to provide the following information about the Deceased – Social Insurance Number, Life Insurance, Bank Account Info. etc.).
At the time of need, contact the Executive Director at 613-688-3530 and select ‘Option 1’.
Section 8 of the Operations By-laws, posted at the JMG website, also provides information on this topic.
