Undertaker wants Inuit groups to share cost of funerals
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Feb 05/01) - What Bryan Pearson brings to bereaved families and their deceased is dignity. In fact, as Iqaluit's undertaker, he insists upon it.
"I keep a low profile and I perform my work as unobtrusively as I can," said Pearson, who has done the job since 1992.
 Bryan Pearson |
Pearson said it was especially important for Inuit groups like NTI to become involved when beneficiaries passed away in the south and needed to be flown home to Nunavut.
"I've written to the Minister (of Health) suggesting the responsibility of taking care of Inuit should be that of the land claims people," said Pearson.
"That hasn't been resolved yet. It's a very difficult issue and something that needs to be dealt with."
Paul Irngaut, the executive liaison and public relations advisor for Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI), said the organization had no plans to assist with burial expenses of Inuit. He also said NTI used to help foot the bill for compassionate travel -- to fly survivors to funeral services -- but they did not currently have a program in place.
"We have helped people in the past ... we were dealing with it case by case, but I can't say if we're going to help other people," said Irngaut.
He added that the land claims organization believes it is up to the Government of Nunavut to cover the expenses.
"They're the ones that should be providing the services," said Irngaut.
Health Minister Ed Picco was not available for comment by press time.
