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'Funerals ain't cheap!' $17K spent on caskets in 9th District – Hon Vincent O. Wheatley

- $32,574 went to assist persons in D9 facing hardships
Ninth District Representative and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley revealed that $17,000 was spent in 2019 on caskets for persons from his district who died. Photo: consumerist.com
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) addresses residents of North Sound, Virgin Gorda, at a community meeting on February 6, 2020. Photo: VINO
Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) addresses residents of North Sound, Virgin Gorda, at a community meeting on February 6, 2020. Photo: VINO
Ninth District Representative and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, left, on Thursday, February 6, 2020 gave his first report to his constituents since becoming the Ninth District Representative on February 25, 2019. Photo: VINO
Ninth District Representative and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley, left, on Thursday, February 6, 2020 gave his first report to his constituents since becoming the Ninth District Representative on February 25, 2019. Photo: VINO
NORTH SOUND, Virgin Gorda, VI- Between Virgin Gorda and Anegada, Ninth District Representative and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley revealed that $17,000 was spent in 2019 on caskets.

Honourable Wheatley was on Thursday, February 6, 2020 giving his first report to his constituents since becoming the Ninth District Representative on February 25, 2019.

Additionally, $32,574 was used to assist persons facing hardships.

"Every member is given a certain amount of money to spend in their district. These funds are to help persons with various needs, whether medical, financial, it is the public's money that was given to us to assist and to make sure that your life is a little better than when we first came. So I will share with you how I spent my money," Hon Wheatley remarked at the community meeting held at the Robinson O'Neal Memorial Primary School on Virgin Gorda.

He stated that the initial amount allocated on January 1, 2019, was $125,000, but there was a $30,000 cash injection during the year, which brought the final figure to $155,000.

The total sum spent was $153,642.65, with a deficit of $1,357.35.

'Funerals ain't cheap!'

"Having lost a parent a long time ago, I know the struggle it is to bury a loved one. It aint cheap anymore! Every person who dies, I normally volunteer to assist them with the funeral costs. It usually goes directly to the funeral home, it doesn't go directly to the individual person, but to assist them with the cost of the casket," he said.

Other funds were channelled towards other areas such as medical expenses.

He said helping persons in financial hardships came to $32,574, medical expenses came to $4,500 and for religious organisations, the sum of $6,000 was spent.

"Most churches were damaged or destroyed last year, and I tried to help the best I could to get the repairs going," Hon Wheatley revealed.

31 Responses to “'Funerals ain't cheap!' $17K spent on caskets in 9th District – Hon Vincent O. Wheatley”

  • one eye (10/02/2020, 08:19) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    Let the dead bury the dead
  • No Viewing (10/02/2020, 08:44) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wrap me in a sheet and put me in a wooden box. And NO viewing.
  • Hmmmmm (10/02/2020, 08:47) Like (26) Dislike (6) Reply
    Social Security Board needs to update the VALUE of the death benefits receive along with the values of other benefits in line with their current day costs
    • How bout (10/02/2020, 11:52) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
      People be responsible and have life insurance. In the USA soc sec desth benefits amounr to $500.
      Or hiw about the funeral home place a lien on assers. Car,house,land,boat,bank account.
  • 9th District (10/02/2020, 08:48) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I love his approach. I love how he doesn’t give money directly to the people but go to the Funeral home and pay for stuff. Over the years humans have become selfish and greedy. They will ask people for assistance for important and serious matters ONLY to take the money to go shopping for things they need to look LIT on social media. Lots of people actually needs help and assistance from people or this case from the Government, but when they forget their friends on Facebook and go shopping New York and post online who you think the person who donated feel? God Don’t sleep don’t take advantage of people’s money when It have those who needs it and will put it to proper use.
  • . (10/02/2020, 08:50) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Something need to be done about this. In the middle eastern countries, funerals does not cost near what we pay here.
    • Jordan (10/02/2020, 11:55) Like (5) Dislike (16) Reply
      Then go dead in the middle east.
      People say the darndest things.
      • @ Jordsn (10/02/2020, 12:09) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
        Lolll
        Also in the wartorn Middle East, people are likely to be buried in mass graves.
  • Ghost (10/02/2020, 10:35) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    I applaud Min. Wheatley for being this transparent with the people’s monies.. yes I agree with you 9th district..funerals are very expensive; cremations are less expensive then again everything here is expensive.. cost of living is just too high her in the BVi.. some persons jack up their prices way too much for everything in the name of profit..that’s robbery, but God don’t sleep
  • Peaches (10/02/2020, 11:09) Like (16) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are we spending so much money to go into the grave? Mr. Allan Penn of Parham Town makes reasonable caskets. Why put yourself and family into such great expense to put your loved one in the grave? Remember, at death the only thing that matters in the condition of the soul at death. If your loved one has settled it with Jesus they will come out of that cold dark grave when the first trumpet shall sound to walk on streets on gold and live with Jesus forever.

    The government should give the business to Mr. Penn for the family who can't afford the prices of those big fancy caskets.
    • mp (11/02/2020, 15:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I agree with you.. If you cannot afford a lavish funeral try local carpenters or Mr. Penn for more than a fraction of the cost. Social security I know gives a lil grant to help out back then. Come on $17, 000 that can be a down payment on a piece of land, towards your child education, etc. Casket for that price mussa came with A/C!
      Funerals as I can see are all about bragging, love to hear the talk (the casket, booklets, the body, etc was beautiful, good sent off ceremony, etc). I know someone spent close to $10, 000 on the booklets alone. I replied that's CRAZY!!!
  • tell me (10/02/2020, 11:48) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is having life insurance illegal in the BVI,
    Everythjng the Gov gving handouts except to me who would feel shame.. Very bad for image ofblack folks .
    Arent people liable for anything in the lil plce?
    So when these bad boys,scooter riderss gone after having spread misery,taxpayers must pay for dem burial and exoats,dem too? Geez!!!
  • Well (10/02/2020, 11:59) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I have never received one copper cent from Gov and never heard any account for money in D1 but I see the same folks getting house for many different family members and cars new and not so new and nothing for the district as a whole. RDA ? Now that is ting to watch for.
  • What!!’ (10/02/2020, 12:12) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    “religious organizations “ , surely they collect money every week from those foolish enough to give?? and don’t give back to those in need. Minister, pastor, preacher, whoever living good , us poor people getting nothing from them.
    • @What! (10/02/2020, 12:51) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      This is such an unfair, unjustified, and ignorant assertion. Most churches in the BVI assist not only their members, but also people in the wider community. Just because they don't run to the media for a photo op doesn't mean that they're not assisting.
  • mp (10/02/2020, 14:07) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go back to the days when carpenters made coffin. I had family members who request to be buried in those narrow foot coffin. Cost us jus a few hundred of dollars. Burial now is a competition (caskets, booklets, food to feed people, etc). When my time comes, put me in a simple box with a simple booklet and bury me in front of close family and friends.
    Live within you means!
  • They killed we (10/02/2020, 14:24) Like (0) Dislike (5) Reply
    Hope we put ndp in a casket if you ask me
  • wow (10/02/2020, 16:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is NO reason for the ONE funeral home witihin the territory to have such high and ridiculous prices. Either way you put it, they MUST make money at you MUST die at some point and they are the ONLY funeral home.
    • @SMH (10/02/2020, 18:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Solution would be that you open a funeral home snd give competition.
      Personally I hope it doesn't close or else it would be a calamity for sure and doubly expensive too...shipping out for embalming and storing, shipping back in for funeral.
    • Currently in the process (11/02/2020, 11:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      and their choices are sooooo lame and boring especially with the flowers. But they have top of the line pricing though. (rolling eyes)
  • Street reporter (10/02/2020, 16:18) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    One of many reports of how monies spent. We wl prefer see the receipts. It still better the test ministers and members who not giving any report to the people..
  • Fishyyyy (10/02/2020, 16:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Research funeral scams on youtube. You'll see how funeral business force people into getting packages they dont need because they try to upsell and take advantage of persons in time of need. The cost of a casket itself doesn't cost merely the amount of 17k. Im not sure how much a grave plot would cost but I don't think stuff like that should be so expensive .
  • Choose (10/02/2020, 18:22) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Cremation has become a popular choice. Costs a fraction of a traditional burial.


  • We need (10/02/2020, 22:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need more than one funeral home for competition of prices.
  • NezRez (11/02/2020, 04:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    My family knows I do not want a funeral or to be put in the ground. I have made my arrangements already to make it easy on my family. I will be cremated and my ashes poured out into the sea since I love swimming, and I don't care what outsiders don't approve. My family can then go back to my house and have a nice meal together. No big expenses or having to keep my burial site clean. I made my WILL regarding my land and other important documents, so there can be no misunderstandings. They can remember me in their hearts. Funerals cause big strains on families emotionally and financially. So to avoid all of this, I have prepared everything. The autopsy, the coffin choice, the place to hold the service, the food, the booklets, people gossiping saying how they feel about it, the burial, is just too much and causes a lot of stress. I will not put my family through that, and too bad for those who don't agree. My love for my husband, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren , means everything to me. The End!
    • Outsider (12/02/2020, 21:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      That all sounds very commendable and responsible NezRez.
      Please do consider, if you haven’t already, the costs of the flights to get your encased remains to the crematorium.
      I do hope you’ll get a good deal more time amongst us before you’re called... as well all will be.
      • NezRez (13/02/2020, 19:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
        to Outsider...What flights? I am from here and will be buried here. I already know the cost from the hospital here to the crematorium. Didn't I say I handled everything?
  • John (11/02/2020, 08:18) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think social security can assist much more but we have some older heads in there who is all about themselves and family .Why wouldn't they give young persons a chance.What is so sweet that they won't retire.Control, Power, and Greed.Making themselves rich off of the poor people money.Mr.Goverment please look at the big picture and replace these people.
  • Disinterested (11/02/2020, 23:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The transparency, accountability and responsibility demonstrated by Hon Vincent “Butch” Wheatley for the expenditure of allocated R-9 funds. The high cost of funeral is a function of supply and demand, lack of competition......etc. The expensive caskets is often for show and to avoid being talked ago. If a family were to bury a deceased family member in a wooden box, lawd you will hear tory. So people splurge on the dead to please the living. Sometimes no expense is speared on the dead and when they were alive......
  • Disgruntled costituent (12/02/2020, 19:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wonder how much the Hon. For the 4th district shared? Not even a lil Christmas gathering for the children in many years. Park is still a disgrace but I see other districts with new parks. Yea QE park was fixed but what about Long Bush? Not everyone has a car to drive down there.
  • (13/02/2020, 10:00) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can't imagine why people think you should be place in a box in the ground.. wait I think its cause the white man done tell ayo, that yall going heaven so ayo preserving what can't even go to heaven.. lol i'll let that sit.


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