8.2.2 Claims for Burial Expenses

• Jurisdiction: Arizona

. The employer is liable for the reasonable expense of an employee’s burial, not to exceed $5,000.^[12] If the recipient of an award for death compensation benefits dies before the term of the award expires, the employer is also responsible for that person’s funeral expenses, not to exceed $800.^[13]

The claim for burial expenses is properly made by the person who paid those expenses.^[14] The expense may be paid directly by the carrier or self-insuring employer to the undertaker.^[15] Otherwise, to be reimbursed, the person who paid those expenses must submit proof of payment to the carrier or self-insuring employer.^[16] The Industrial Commission may intervene if reimbursement is not made for some reason.^[17]

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^[12]A.R.S. § 23-1046 (A)(1) (Supp. 1991).

^[13]A.R.S. § 23-1046 (D) (Supp. 1991).

^[14]Red Bluff Mines, supra note 1.

^[15]A.A.C. R4-13-117 (B)...