THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, January 9, 1997             TAG: 9701090324
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY MEREDITH COHN, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   43 lines

FUND FOR BURIALS LONG ON NEEDS, SHORT ON MEANS

Since a local funeral home director started a fund to help needy people bury their loved ones, he's been deluged with calls - but mostly from survivors with hard luck stories about bills they cannot pay.

United Burial Fund, founded by Richard Pretlow of Pretlow and Sons' Funeral Home in Chesapeake, has raised only about $100. About 20 times that much is needed for one ``decent'' burial, Pretlow said.

``Everyone I talk to thinks it's a great idea, but I guess everyone thinks someone else is contributing,'' said Pretlow, who was moved to start the fund by stories from families that didn't qualify for city social services or wanted something above a pauper's funeral for their loved ones.

The idea was to allow the fund's dollars to be used by an individual deemed needy by a board at any funeral home for items such as a coffin, burial plot or service. Race, ethnicity or religious affiliation would not be factors, Pretlow said.

While the money would not have to be used at Pretlow's funeral home, he used his own money to set up the fund, a charity in the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service. Donations are tax-deductible.

Pretlow also purchased a 1997 Geo Tracker to be raffled off to raise money. So far, he's sold only 24 of the $8 tickets.

``I've had 36 requests for help from every Hampton Roads city and as far away as California,'' Pretlow said. ``They are really sad stories, and we want to help them, but we don't have the money yet.''

All local cities have funds for paupers' burials, but qualifying can be difficult because of limited public resources, city administrators have said. Other restrictions also preclude some from taking the money. Virginia Beach, for example, funds only cremations.

Norfolk provides the most money for each burial - $1,800, which includes a plot in a city-owned cemetery. All the cities contract with private funeral homes, where directors say they must work out special deals to pay for services the family wants but are generally out of its means. MEMO: Contributions may be made to the United Burial Fund and raffle

tickets purchased by calling 543-6344 or writing 500 Liberty St.,

Chesapeake, Va. 23324.