New burial assistance program provides financial assistance to the families of deceased Shareholders
The complexities of funeral planning can be both emotionally challenging and financially overwhelming. On top of the grief of losing a loved one, families face the burden of funeral costs, which can add to their grief and make it difficult to celebrate their loved ones in a meaningful way. Burial assistance programs help ease this burden, allowing families to celebrate the life of their loved one without the overwhelming stress of debt or financial strain.
On June 7, CIRI Board Chair Douglas Fifer announced the Ada Honor Program at the 2025 Annual Meeting. “For several years now, our Shareholders have been asking for help managing the financial burden of funeral and burial expenses,” Douglas said. “We have heard your concerns, and I am pleased to announce your Board of Directors has approved a resolution to establish a new program called the Ada Honor Program to help defray the cost of burial and funeral expenses for the families of deceased Shareholders.”
Families are eligible for $2,500, with an additional $500 to be given if the deceased Shareholder has a valid Stock Will on file with CIRI. The program is available to the families of all deceased Shareholders— including original enrollees, Shareholders who were gifted or bequeathed shares, and non-voting Shareholders— so long as the deceased passed away on or after Jan. 1 of this year and was an active CIRI Shareholder at the time of his/her passing. “Our CIRI Family is diverse, and the program honors that diversity,” CIRI President Tabetha Toloff said.
The word “Ada” is Dena’ina for “care, love or kindness.” “Honoring those who have passed on is an important part of Alaska Native culture,” Tabetha added. “The Ada Honor Program is one way we can extend that care and kindness to our CIRI Family.”
The program will begin accepting applications July 15. To begin, applications will be accepted for deaths dating back to Jan. 1, 2025. Thereafter, applications will be accepted for up to 180 days (approximately six months) after a death occurs. Payments can be made directly to the family, or to the funeral home/cremation center if services have been rendered. There are no income or residency requirements for either the deceased Shareholder or the applicant.
“Our goal with the Ada Honor Program is to help alleviate stress for grieving families so they can focus on honoring their loved ones in a meaningful way,” CIRI CEO Swami Iyer said. “While losing someone is never easy, we hope to make the burial process less burdensome by providing much-needed financial support during a difficult time.”
For information about the Ada Honor Program, including a link to the application, visit ciri.com/AdaProgram.
APPLICATIONS OPEN
Applications for the Ada Honor Program will be accepted beginning July 15, 2025.
RETROACTIVE BENEFIT
CIRI will accept completed applications and supporting documentation for Shareholders whose passing occurred between Jan. 1 and July 14, 2025. Applications for retroactive benefits must be received on or before Jan. 12, 2026. For losses occurring July 15, 2025, or later, a completed application and supporting documentation must be submitted to CIRI within 180 days of the date of death to qualify for funding.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Applicants must submit the Ada Honor Program Benefit Application and at least one of the following documents: death certificate, letter/invoice/receipt from funeral home or cremation center, medical record/health aide letter, published obituary or police report. For a full list of accepted documentation, visit ciri.com/AdaProgram.
FOR ASSISTANCE
Call Shareholder Relations at (907) 263- 5191 or toll-free (800) 764-2474.
STOCK WILL
To complete or update your CIRI Stock Will or request a copy of an existing Stock Will, contact the Probate department at (907) 263-5540 or toll-free (833) 263-5136.
