Indigent families may be able to turn to the county for help for burial of a loved one.

Effingham County commissioners unanimously approved an indigent burial policy that sets aside an indigent burial fund.

Under the policy, the county’s preferred method of interment is cremation.

“If there is a religious objection to cremation, we will provide that expense toward the cost of a traditional burial,” county administrative assistant Adam Kobek said.

The county’s indigent burial policy hasn’t been used very often — only about three times, Kobek surmised — but it came up as an issue earlier this year.

“We’re being very clear what will be required to be qualified as indigent,” interim county administrator David Crawley said.

An application would have to be filed with the county clerk and approved by the Department of Family and Children Services for the indigent status.