In 2019, the Burmese Muslim Education and Community Center launched the Funeral Assistance Program under the direct management of Noor ul-Islam Funeral Assistance Committee. The purpose of the initiative is to provide funeral assistance services effectively and systematically to the members of the Muslim community in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
We aim to provide services to all the Muslims in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area and the services will not be limited to either Burmese only or members only. The Funeral Assistance Program has two folds as follows: -
(A) Service Assistance
We understand the frustration of having to make Janazah arrangements within a short period of time while mourning the lost of a love one. The chances are that most people in the community would not have experience making such arrangements. Our team of volunteers offers help in making Janazah arrangements from dealing with funeral homes, body-washing to setting up burial plots. This service is offered to any Muslims in need and there is no membership or charge to receive our assistance.
(B) Financial Assistance
The second part of our program is Financial Assistance. The cost of a Janarzah could be as high as $6,500 and could be a financial burden during the period of mourning. We established a Funeral Assistance Fund as part of the Funeral Assistance Program in which participating families contribute annually toward funding and do not have to worry about the unforeseeable financial burden. The funding is used toward the cost of funeral arrangements as need-based with priority giving to the contributing families.
In addition to the contributing families, depending on the availability of the fund, the program also assists toward the cost of the funeral for
- Guest visiting Fort Wayne for less than 30 days,
- New Immigrants within three months of their arrival to Fort Wayne,
- Disables, elders, homeless individuals who have no other financial support,
- Newborn children under three months old,
- Children under the child protected services.
A two-year interest fee loan may also be available to those who do not fall under the above categories because we believe that financial health should not disturb the funeral arrangement. While the participating families have to contribute annually toward the funding, we consider this program as Saddaqa-Jararah because the funding goes to the people in need and helps the community members sustain a feeling of peace and certainty.
To become contributing family, the family can sign up between January 1st to March 31st of each year. While the contribution is not mandatory, we recommend your participation because this funding provides assistance to ease the financial burden on the families. The annual contribution for a household with up to 6 members is $120 and an additional $20 for each additional household member.
Contribution can be made by filling out the ONLINE FORM HERE. We accept payment through PayPal.
To get assistance from the program, please contact us at 260-786-0393 or reach out to the Masjid Imam.
Contact Person: Zakawan Din (Program Director)