A measure granting free funeral services to indigent Filipinos has officially lapsed into law, paving the way for local governments to provide burial or cremation assistance to the poorest families in the country.
The newly enacted Free Funeral Services Act, also known as Republic Act 12309, aims to ease the financial burden faced by low-income households during times of loss by ensuring access to dignified funeral arrangements at no cost.
In a message to Palace reporters, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed the measure became law after it was not signed or vetoed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. within 30 days or the prescribed period.
Under the law, local government units (LGUs) are required to coordinate with accredited funeral service providers to offer basic funeral packages, which may include embalming, a coffin or urn, transport of remains, and burial or cremation services.
LGUs may also establish their own funeral facilities or enter into agreements with private service operators.
Beneficiaries will be determined based on existing government poverty thresholds and social welfare assessments, ensuring that only certified indigent individuals and families may avail themselves of the assistance.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), is tasked with drafting the implementing rules and regulations. Funding may come from LGU budgets and national social protection programs.
With the law taking effect, LGUs are expected to begin aligning resources and partnerships with funeral homes to roll out the service within the year.
The enactment marks a significant expansion of basic social welfare services, adding end-of-life support to existing medical and emergency aid programs for the poor.
