FEMA Offers Funeral Assistance Payments for COVID-19 Victims

John Bobel

September 7, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:

• The death must have occurred in the United States.
• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
• There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien.
• The deceased person’s death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to or caused by COVID-19.

If a death occurred between Jan. 20 and May 16, 2020, and the death certificate doesn’t attribute the death to COVID-19, include a signed statement from the death certificate’s certifying official, local coroner, or medical examiner that links the cause of death to COVID-19.

Which expenses will qualify for reimbursement?

Examples of eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to:

• Transportation to identify the deceased individual
• The transfer of remains\
• A burial plot or cremation niche\
• A marker or headstone
• Clergy or officiant services
• The use of funeral home equipment or staff
• Cremation or interment costs

What information do I need to provide to FEMA?

• A marker or headstone
• Clergy or officiant services
• The use of funeral home equipment or staff
• Cremation or interment costs

Please have the following information before contacting FEMA to apply:

Name, social security number, date of birth, mailing address and contact phone numbers.
Name, social security number and date of birth for each deceased individual.
Location or address where the deceased individual passed away.
Documentation and receipts for any assistance already received from other sources, including burial or funeral insurance, donations, voluntary agencies, other government programs or non-profit organizations.
The name and information of any co-applicant(s) if anyone besides yourself incurred funeral expenses for
the deceased individual(s).

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THIS ASSISTANCE?

Call FEMA’s COVID-19 helpline for fastest service

Funeral Assistance Helpline
1-844-684-6333
(TTY: 800-462-7585)
from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday
and begin the application process

You can also visit FEMA online at Disasterassistance.gov