PM 06-38-01 Program Requirements and Definitions

WAG 06-38-01

Payment of funeral and burial expenses may be issued to a funeral establishment and/or cemetery authority for eligible deceased children on behalf of an eligible survivor in accordance with the Murdered Children Funeral and Burial Assistance Program.

To qualify for assistance under the program, the funeral establishment and/or cemetery authority must submit a request for disbursement for cost of services performed on an eligible victim and on behalf of an eligible survivor(s).

For the administration of this program, the following definitions are provided.

Funeral Establishment:

  • State-licensed funeral home,
  • Funeral chapel,
  • Funeral parlor; or
  • Other business that provides funeral and burial services to a child victim.

Cemetery Authority:

  • any individual or legal entity that owns or controls cemetery lands or property that provides burial rights and burial services and merchandise to a child victim consistent with the Cemetery Oversight Act.

Eligible Victim:

  • child under 17 years of age, who was:
    • killed in the State of Illinois by a firearm; and
    • as a result of one of the following circumstances:
      • First degree murder,
      • Second degree murder,
      • Voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child,
      • Involuntary manslaughter; and
      • Involuntary manslaughter of an unborn child.

Eligible Survivor:

  • the parent or guardian of the child victim, or
  • another individual living in the household of the child victim and in a relationship with the victim that is substantially similar to that of a parent; and
  • has or shares the authority to direct the disposition of the remains for the victim pursuant to the Disposition of Remains Act; and
  • has a household income of less than 150% of the federal poverty level.

Receipt of public assistance by the child victim or eligible survivor is not a factor of eligibility for the Murdered Children Funeral and Burial Assistance program.

The criminal history or felony status of the child victim or eligible survivor is not a factor when completing a determination of eligibility.