The Illinois Funeral or Burial Trust Fund Act gives you the right to put funeral funds in a trust and it is your loved one's right under law to set aside personal funds for funeral expenses. Also the rules of the Illinois Department of Public Aid allow people to place funds in trust for burial expenses and still be eligible to receive public aid.   How Much Can A Person Put In A Funeral Trust And Still Qualify For Public Aid? The rules of the Illinois Department of Public Aid allow a person to purchase a casket, outer burial container or vault, and the cemetery grave opening. These are considered exempt assets and will not be considered towards total assets. You may also have up to $5219.00 in a funeral trust for all other items necessary for the funeral you choose. A person, in essence, can purchase and pre-finance their entire funeral and still be eligible for assistance form Illinois Public Aid.   What Must I Do? Make an appointment to meet with your funeral director. The counselors are prepared to answer your questions about prearrangements, trust funds, and public aid requirements. The funeral director is familiar with these rules on public aid as well as the specific requirements for setting up funeral trusts and applying and qualifying for public aid.   What Paper Are Needed To Verify That I Have Established A Funeral Trust? The funeral director will prepare a Funeral Trust Agreement, which shows the services that will be provided for your loved one.   What Happens To The Funds Which I prepay? The Funeral or Burial Funds Act requires that your pre-need funds be deposited within thirty days in either a bank or trust company authorized to do business in the state of Illinois, or a Federal Savings and Loan Association or Illinois Savings and Loan Association, or Federal or Illinois Credit Union. Typically these funds will earn interest.