Project Recommendation #10
Project Recommendation #10
The Area Agency on Aging will collaborate with Central California Legal Services and funeral and burial insurance companies to pilot affordable funeral and end-of-life planning services in rural and unincorporated communities.
California's 5 Bold Goals: Affording Aging
AARP's 8 Domains of Livability: Health Services & Community Supports
Death is an inevitable, but often overlooked, part of the aging process. Planning for death, encompassing end-of-life planning and estate planning, is crucial for ensuring our wishes are honored, minimizing stress on loved ones, and securing financial stability. The planning process provides us with time to come to clarity about what is important to us and how we would like to be remembered.
End-of-life planning allows us to make decisions about our medical care, including advance directives and living wills, ensuring our preferences are followed when we can no longer communicate them. A well-crafted plan minimizes stress on our family by providing clear instructions for handling finances, assets, and funeral arrangements. Estate planning ensures that our assets are distributed according to our wishes, reducing potential financial burdens on our loved ones and minimizing the risk of disputes.
Depending on our circumstances and wishes, end-of-life planning can be quite complicated, involving legal documents, financial planning, funeral planning, health care decisions, and other emotional and practical considerations. Understanding the different payment options and resources available is crucial for individuals and families to navigate the complexities of end-of-life care costs and ensure they can access the support they need. All older adults in Merced County should be afforded the dignity of assistance navigating these important choices; however, for low-income households, funeral and end-of-life planning can be challenging due to limited financial resources. For example, funeral expenses can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the services and location.
This was a need prioritized by community members in a number of rural and unincorporated communities. To provide low-cost and free funeral and end-of-life planning services in these communities, the Area Agency on Aging will collaborate with Central California Legal Services, along with funeral and burial insurance companies, including AARP, to pilot a new program. Starting in July 2025, the Area Agency on Aging will begin planning conversations with these partners to estimate the scale and cost of an effective pilot program, and to strategize funding resources, as necessary.
In Merced County, end-of-life planning services can currently be accessed through various avenues, including leveraging Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, hospice care, palliative care, and legal resources that offer estate planning, advance care directives, and wills and trusts. Central California Legal Services is one such nonprofit legal resource for low-income individuals and families. End of Life Choices California also offers trained volunteers to work with residents who are seriously or terminally ill, or those simply thinking ahead and planning for the future, to create an advance health care directive, appoint a health care agent, and discuss their wishes with family and providers.
While California does not have a statewide program to help with funeral expenses, low-income households can use life insurance policies, low-cost burial options, and charities or faith-based organizations for assistance. California does offer financial assistance for victims of crimes that lead to death, and FEMA may assist in cases of disaster-related deaths. The U.S. Social Security Administration also provides a small one-time death benefit.
Some funeral homes offer loans, discounted or low-cost services, or may have partnerships with organizations that provide assistance, such as memorial societies. There are also no-cost cremation alternatives to traditional funeral services, such as Science Care. The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) helps find low-cost burial options for consumers.
Utilizing existing Merced County Area Agency on Aging staff capacity, affordable funeral and end-of-life planning services can reasonably be available to eligible residents of targeted communities within twelve (12) months of the adoption of this Action Plan by the County Board of Supervisors. With support from community partners, this timeline estimate could be expedited.
By June 30, 2027, at least 20 eligible households will receive free or affordable end-of-life planning services.
As part of an annual survey of older adults, the Area Agency on Aging will assess its success promoting funeral and end-of-life planning services in targeted communities. In comparison to a baseline rating determined at the start of fiscal year 2027-28, 30% more older adults will be aware of the availability of funeral and end-of-life planning services by June 30, 2030.
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