By Brian Campued
As the nation marks Undas, when millions of Filipinos visit the grave of their deceased loved ones and honor the memory of the dead, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that the Republic Act No. 12309 or the “Free Funeral Services Act” will serve as basis in providing burial aid to poor and indigent families under its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
RA 12309, which lapsed into law on Sept. 28, also enables the DSWD to assist those affected by calamities and other emergencies who cannot afford basic funeral services for their dead loved ones.
In a media forum in Quezon City on Thursday, DSWD Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) Director Edwin Morata said they would set the standard amount of burial assistance once the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations are released.
“For RA 12309, sinasabi dito dapat mayroon na po tayong templated amount o standard amount. But as to standard amount po kung magkano ang package, ito pa lang po ang pag-uusapan natin in the crafting of the IRR because DSWD is the lead in the crafting of the implementing rules and regulation,” Morata said.
According to Morata, the free funeral services for poor families will cover expenses for funeral parlors, funeral chapels, transportation, cremation, and burial.
The IRR of the Free Funeral Services Act will likewise include the standard and maximum amount of burial aid to be given to the beneficiaries, as well as safety guidelines to prevent the abuse of funds.
He added that the DSWD is also working with local government units (LGUs), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and some 807 partner-funeral homes in the country on the crafting of the IRR.
Under the new law, every accredited funeral home nationwide will be required to offer a standard “indigent funeral package” while the DSWD will reimburse the amount based on the contract signed between the provider and the beneficiary.
To avail of the benefit, families must present a valid ID, the death certificate, a funeral service contract signed with the provider and DSWD personnel, and a social case study prepared by a registered social worker.
Meanwhile, the DSWD, through its AICS program, provides burial assistance through Guarantee Letters—with over P10.985 billion given to the bereaved families of more than 1.4 million individuals, based on data provided by the Crisis Intervention Unit from 2014 to September 2025.
Aside from indigent families, Filipinos, regardless of social status, affected by calamities and other emergency circumstances who cannot afford dignified funeral services, can avail of the program.
-jpv
