MANILA, Philippines — The Senate approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2965, known as the Free Funeral Services Act, on Monday, June 2, 2025.

The measure seeks to grant free funeral services to poor families experiencing crisis situations.

The bill defines poor families as those whose income falls below the poverty threshold set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) or those unable to meet their basic needs in food, health, education, housing, or other essential services, as outlined under Republic Act No. 8425.

The measure mandates that free funeral services be provided to indigent families or those affected by calamities, disasters, or emergencies that prevent them from affording dignified funeral arrangements, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Qualified families will receive the “Indigent Funeral Package,” which includes preparation of funeral documents, embalming, burial or interment, transport, cremation, and inurnment services. The package also covers provision of a casket, urn, or venue, as applicable, offered by accredited funeral establishments nationwide.

All accredited funeral establishments must offer a uniform indigent funeral package regardless of location or type, coordinated with the DSWD.

To avail of the free services, the bereaved family or representative must present: a valid ID, death certificate or certification from a tribal chieftain, a funeral contract signed by the family representative, funeral home, and DSWD personnel, and a social case study conducted by a registered social worker.