1 million won for all households aged 65 and over
Differentiated support by age and household type
Uiryeong County in South Gyeongsang Province will establish a welfare support system that extends to the very last moments of its residents’ lives through the “Funeral Support Fund Program” starting in 2026.
This new funeral support fund program is a system that provides partial funeral expenses to the bereaved when a resident who has been registered and living in Uiryeong County for more than one year passes away. It is expected that about 420 residents will be eligible for support each year.
Unlike existing welfare programs, which have mainly focused on living residents, this initiative is notable for publicly supporting funeral costs after death-a gap that has remained in local government welfare policies.
The program covers all households with residents aged 65 or older, providing 1 million won regardless of income level. For residents under 65, 1 million won will be provided to vulnerable groups (recipients of basic livelihood security, severely disabled persons registered as low-income, single-parent families, and grandparent-grandchild families), while 500,000 won will be provided to other general households.
The support will be provided not in cash, but in Uiryeong Love Gift Certificates. Applicants can choose between paper vouchers, prepaid cards, or mobile options, enhancing convenience. In addition, by issuing policy-specific certificates, the range of available stores has been expanded, allowing use at Nonghyup Hanaro Mart branches in Uiryeong County (including the main branch), which were previously restricted due to annual sales exceeding 3 billion won.
Applications can be made at the township or town administrative welfare center in the district of the deceased’s registered address. The applicant must submit a death certificate or post-mortem examination report, along with proof of funeral expenses. After verification, the support will be provided.
County Mayor Oh Taewan stated, “Funerals can come suddenly to anyone and may become a significant burden for the bereaved family. The county will continue to steadily implement welfare policies that address all stages of residents’ lives.”
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