At LEO, we believe those closest to the problem are closest to the solution. That's why in this series, you'll be hearing directly from Those Closest—the LEO partners and changemakers whose daily work makes building evidence possible. These are poverty's fiercest adversaries, showing us not just what works, but why it matters.
Making Sure All Is Not Lost
By: Ashley Styx, Senior Program Director
Charities Resource Hub
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
Do we pay rent or bury our loved one?
That’s the devastating question the more than 2,000 families we have been able to serve through our burial assistance program were facing.
It started five years ago when Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago received an anonymous $2 million donation, designated to help people through unimaginable grief. The gift arrived just as the COVID-19 pandemic began devastating lives and livelihoods, and it was put to immediate use, helping struggling families cover funeral costs for loved ones lost to the virus and other causes during that traumatic time.
Five years later, that act of generosity has grown into an essential ongoing program. Other donors have followed suit, and the Funeral & Burial Fund continues to support families who cannot afford the high cost of laying their loved ones to rest. With funeral expenses averaging $8,000, the need is great.
While some state funding does exist for burial expenses, much of it is often limited, delayed, or tied to specific circumstances—leaving many families without the help they need when they need it. For those living paycheck to paycheck, waiting for reimbursement simply isn’t an option.
Since the programs’ inception, we’ve distributed over $7 million in burial assistance, sparing over 2,000 families from the devastating choice between paying rent or laying a loved one to rest with dignity.
But this program is more than financial aid. It allows us to walk alongside people in their darkest moments, offering not just burial assistance, but also connection to counseling, support services, and hope.
Here are the stories of just a handful of the families we have been able to help:
Mary, a young mother, came to Catholic Charities for help when facing two devastating losses at once. Her brother was shot on a city bus, and within weeks, her cousin passed away during a mass shooting while trying to protect children. Mary called this support a “godsend.” Without it, she would have fallen into debt or even lost her home. Because of this program, Mary and her 4-year-old son could grieve without the crushing burden of financial uncertainty.
Christopher was overwhelmed by sorrow when his teenage daughter was shot walking home from school. Our team stayed with Christopher, assisting him through the paperwork and planning, and paying his bill in full. He shared his sense of relief with us, saying that he had been facing the sale of his car, which allowed him to work, and certain debt.
An 85-year-old widower, William, lost the love of his life of over 50 years. After she was peacefully laid to rest, William returned one day with a gift: a loaf of bread he baked himself. It was a powerful reminder of the humanity at the heart of this work, and his kindness in the face of his grief was a testament to what a little help can do for those in need.
Terry reached out after the unexpected death of his niece, who had undergone a major surgery and was thought to be recovering. The family was unprepared- emotionally and financially. “Words cannot fully express the level of care and professionalism you provided,” Terry wrote. “I am beyond thankful that you were there when we needed you most.”
Kim, a grieving mother, contacted the funeral home that was holding her child’s remains. They informed her that they could no longer legally keep the remains, but Kim did not have funds for the burial. In her terrible grief, Kim called every resource she could think of. Only when she reached Catholic Charities did she receive the help she urgently needed. She thanked us for allowing her to give her child a dignified burial instead of having to face the alternative no parent should ever face.
Each month, we are able to provide burial support to 20 families out of the 500-600 calls per month that we receive. The need is bigger than many people realize, but so is the capacity for grace, empathy, and dignity. Our hope is that the pending results from the randomized control trial with LEO will provide the evidence needed to scale this project and serve even more people.
Asking for help can be so difficult, especially in a time of crisis. For those we serve, we ensure that they can provide a dignified burial and that they are treated with compassion and care. We are here to make sure that they can honor their loved ones without sacrificing their financial stability. For our clients in their hour of need, we are here to make sure all is not lost.
Learn more about the Catholic Charities Chicago Burial Assistance program here