The Catholic faith teaches that it is an important corporal work of mercy to bury the dead, and many local members of the faithful are heeding this moral imperative by giving to Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte to help those in need with the final expenses of their loved ones.

“Our burial assistance program has deeply touched the hearts of numerous dedicated donors wholeheartedly committed to the cause,” said Virginia Garramone, development director for Catholic Charities. “They generously choose to contribute directly to the Catholic Charities burial assistance program, empowering us to continue providing the essential services to bury cherished loved ones with dignity and respect.”

For many families, the cost of burying a loved one is a substantial financial challenge. The average cost of a funeral in the United States ranges from $7,000 to $12,000 – a major obstacle for many people struggling just to make ends meet. The unexpected expense compounds the burden they already face in grieving for their loved one.

Catholic Charities’ burial assistance began in 1994, when Mecklenburg County stopped paying to bury the poor. The charity teamed up with concerned citizens, social workers, funeral home directors and the city’s cemetery director to establish a burial plan for needy Mecklenburg County residents, providing funeral and burial or cremation services to indigent families.

“We partner with funeral homes that will do burial (graveside service) and or cremation at a reduced rate. Burial is $1,100 and cremation is $600. We encourage the family to contribute toward that amount,” said Sylvia Sekle, the direct assistance coordinator for Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte.

Families contact Sekle, and she sets up an appointment to meet with them. She then contacts the partner funeral homes to see which one is the best fit for the family and their particular circumstances.

“Through the burial assistance program, we can assist and support families in providing dignified burial and/or cremation for their deceased loved ones,” she said.

This program serves families who have no insurance, are unable to negotiate financial arrangements with a funeral home, or cannot pay the costs associated with traditional death expenses. The deceased must have been a resident of Mecklenburg County or the Asheville area to be eligible.

In April, the partner funeral homes were given the Fruit of the Vine Award at Catholic Charities’ annual benefit, Vineyard of Hope. The honorees included John Adams from A.E. Grier and Sons, Jerry Anthony from Alexander Funeral Home, the Rev. Brad Humphrey from Grier Funeral Service, and Danielle Roseboro from Roseboro Mortuary and Crematory.

In recent comments, Humphrey, the CEO of Grier Funeral Service in Charlotte, said the program has been a blessing for families experiencing a devastating event in their lives.

“Knowing there is someone out there to help means so much to them. I’ve seen tears welling up in people’s eyes when they learn they will be able to say farewell to their loved ones with dignity,” he said. “When people who may not necessarily have funds for a decent funeral are given the opportunity to do so, it is truly a blessing. They are truly grateful for the services this program makes possible.”

In 2000, Catholic Charities established an endowment within the diocesan foundation to ensure the sustained support of burial assistance efforts. This generates ongoing funds that will directly impact the lives of those in need and their loved ones for generations to come.

“There will always be a need for burial assistance for those who are unable to afford to pay for the burial of loved ones,” said Jim Kelley, development director for the Diocese of Charlotte. “We have a wonderful partnership with the funeral homes and donors who make gifts restricted to our burial assistance program. The endowment will provide distributions over time that will also support this life-changing work.”

To give directly to the burial assistance program at Catholic Charities: Contact Virginia Garramone at 704-370-3349 or vlgarramone@ccdoc.org.

To give to the burial assistance endowment managed by the Foundation of the Diocese of Charlotte: Contact Gina Rhodes at 704-340-3364 or gmrhodes@rcdoc.org.

To request burial assistance: Contact Sylvia Sekle at 704-370-3295 or smsekle@ccdor.org.

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Story by Annie Ferguson. This article originally appeared in The Catholic News Herald on May 24, 2023, and is reprinted with permission.