The Panel of Administrators has approved amendments to the Board’s policy on funeral expenses as provided in policy item #53.00 of the Rehabilitation Services and Claims Manual. The Board’s authority to pay for funeral expenses is provided by Section 17 of the Workers Compensation Act. This section was recently amended when Section 30 of the Labour Statutes Amendment Act came into force November 5, 1999. The amendment replaces the current fixed payments for funeral expenses with a general authority for these amounts to be determined by Board policy. In response to concerns regarding the inadequacy of the previous fixed payments, the Board has increased the amount available for funeral expenses, including incidentals, to $6,476.47, and the amount available for transportation of the body to $1,023.23. These amounts will continue to receive Consumer Price Index adjustments every six months. This increase in expense levels is consistent with the amounts recommended by the Royal Commission. The amendments came into effect on November 5, 1999.