SALT LAKE CITY — The government shutdown continues to impact families across the nation, including the families of five servicemen killed over the weekend in Afghanistan.

Last week, Congress made sure military members will continue to receive their paychecks despite the shutdown. However, lawmakers did not approve funding for a $100,000 tax-free death benefit — known in the military as a "death gratuity" — that is wired to the families of those killed in action, typically within 36 hours of a service member's death.

"Unfortunately as a result of the shutdown, we do not have the legal authority to make death gratuity payments at this time," said Sgt. Nathan Christensen, a Pentagon spokesman.

"We are keeping a close eye on those who have lost loved ones serving within the Department of Defense," Christensen added.

Jim Towse knows what it's like to face the prospect of burying a child without the benefit of the death gratuity. His son, Pfc. Cody Towse, died in May while serving in Afghanistan.

The 21-year-old from Elk Ridge in Utah County was one of four soldiers killed when an improvised explosive device detonated. The blast was so powerful that Towse was listed as missing in action for a week, which delayed the delivery of the federal funds earmarked to help his family.

"We went to buy a cemetery plot. We didn't have the money so we had to say 'Can you please hold this plot for our son who was killed serving his country?'" Jim Towse said.

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Towse knew he wanted to give his son the funeral he deserved and even asked a neighbor for a loan to help pay for it.

"He wrote me a check, but fortunately that (federal) money came and I gave him the check back," Towse said. "I would have been crushed if I couldn't do everything I wanted to do to honor (Cody's) life, and his death and his service."

Lawmakers from both political parties took turns Tuesday expressing outrage over the suspension of the so-called death gratuity. House Republicans are drafting a bill to fund the program, despite the shutdown. A vote on that bill isn't expected to take place until later in the week.

For now though the families of four soldiers and a Marine killed in Afghanistan over the weekend will have to find other funding sources to cover the costs associated with burying their loved ones.

Towse said he can't imagine what his son's funeral would have been like without financial assistance from the Pentagon, and he doesn't believe military families should have to find out.

"To me, that's essential service," he said. "If a soldier dies in action, how is that not essential to take care of his family and take care of his funeral arrangement and paying the respect he deserves. If that money is promised, it needs to be paid."

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