If a loved one has died in Tompkins County and there are limited financial resources available for final expenses, assistance may be available through the applicable county process.

If assistance may be needed, contact Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service before cremation or funeral services are performed. We can help your family understand the process, coordinate the funeral-service information, and help identify what is needed for the applicable county review.

For a qualifying case approved and authorized through the applicable Tompkins County assistance process, Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service accepts the county-authorized payment for the immediate cremation service.

If assistance may be needed for an immediate cremation in Tompkins County, start by calling Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service before services are performed.

We can help you understand the funeral-assistance process, coordinate the funeral-service information, and help with the applicable county process.

1. 1

   Step 1 — Call Savage-DeMarco

   Call 909-PLAN-NOW (909-752-6669) as soon as you believe financial assistance may be needed and before cremation or funeral services are performed.

2. 2

   Step 2 — We Help Review the Situation

   Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service explains the immediate-cremation arrangements and helps identify the funeral-service information needed for the applicable county assistance process.

3. 3

   Step 3 — County Review

   Tompkins County Department of Social Services determines government eligibility and authorization under its current requirements.

4. 4

   Step 4 — We Help Coordinate

   Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service helps coordinate the funeral-service portion of the process and confirms the applicable county authorization.

5. 5

   Step 5 — Immediate Cremation

   For a qualifying case approved and authorized through the applicable Tompkins County assistance process, Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service accepts the county-authorized payment for the immediate cremation service.

Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the individual case and the financial resources available for final expenses.

Tompkins County Department of Social Services determines government eligibility under the applicable county requirements.

Medicaid enrollment by itself should not be presented as automatic qualification for funeral or cremation assistance.

If you are unsure whether assistance may be available, contact Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service before services are performed and we can help you understand the process.

Not exactly.

"Medicaid cremation" is a common phrase families use when searching online for help paying final expenses.

Medicaid itself does not provide a single statewide New York cremation benefit.

In Tompkins County, qualifying funeral and cremation assistance is handled through the applicable local assistance process. Government eligibility and authorization are determined through that process rather than simply by whether someone was enrolled in Medicaid.

The information needed depends on the circumstances of the individual case and Tompkins County's current requirements.

The county may request information needed to determine eligibility and authorize assistance.

Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service can help identify and coordinate the funeral-service information needed for the applicable county assistance process.

If you believe financial assistance may be needed, contact Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service promptly and before cremation or funeral services are performed.

Beginning the assistance process before services are performed allows the applicable county review and authorization process to occur before the cremation proceeds.

Tompkins County Department of Social Services

Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service helps families navigate the funeral-service portion of the Tompkins County assistance process.

We can explain immediate-cremation arrangements, help identify the funeral-service information that may be needed, and coordinate the funeral-service portion of the applicable county process.

Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service will help confirm the applicable county authorization as part of handling the case.

For a qualifying case approved and authorized through the applicable Tompkins County assistance process, Savage-DeMarco Funeral Service accepts the county-authorized payment for the immediate cremation service. Government eligibility and authorization decisions remain with the applicable government agency.