FEMA
PO Box 10055 Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
FEMA.gov/funeral-assistance
Funeral Assistance Helpline
844-684-6333
Primary Services
Burial/Cremation Expense Assistance
Description
* FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until September 30th, 2025, to those who have lost loved ones due to the pandemic. *
Provides financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20th, 2020. If you are eligible for funeral assistance you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance.
Examples of eligible expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation may include, but not limited to:
- Transportation for up to two people to identify the deceased individual
- The transfer of remains and a casket or urn
- A burial plot or cremation niche
- A marker or headstone
- Clergy or officiant services
- The arrangement of a funeral ceremony
- The use of funeral home equipment or staff
- Cremation or interment costs
- Costs associated with producing multiple death certificates
Provides financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20th, 2020. If you are eligible for funeral assistance you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance.
Examples of eligible expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation may include, but not limited to:
- Transportation for up to two people to identify the deceased individual
- The transfer of remains and a casket or urn
- A burial plot or cremation niche
- A marker or headstone
- Clergy or officiant services
- The arrangement of a funeral ceremony
- The use of funeral home equipment or staff
- Cremation or interment costs
- Costs associated with producing multiple death certificates
Hours
Funeral Assistance Helpline is available Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:
- The death must have occurred in the United States, including US territories, and the District of Columbia
- The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19
- The applicant must be a US citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20th, 2020
- There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a US citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
Service Area: Nationwide.
- The death must have occurred in the United States, including US territories, and the District of Columbia
- The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19
- The applicant must be a US citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20th, 2020
- There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a US citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
Service Area: Nationwide.
Intake Process
Call the Funeral Assistance Hotline at 1-844-684-6333 during the hours specified above and talk with a caseworker to discuss the program, ask questions, and gain access to a web portal where you can submit documents.
To prepare for applying to the program, gather the following documentation:
- An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including US territories and the District of Columbia
- Funeral expense documents, receipts, funeral home contract, etc. that includes the applicant's name, the deceased person's name, the amount of the funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened
- Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. This program cannot duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources
Please have the following information before contacting FEMA to apply:
- Your name, social security number, date of birth, mailing address and contact phone numbers.
- The name, social security number and date of birth for each deceased individual.
- The 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.
- If you and another person both incurred funeral expenses for the same deceased individual(s), you can also provide that person as a co-applicant; include their name, social security number and date of birth on the application.
Additional information for death certificates:
1) FEMA is using the CDC’s guidelines for death certificates related to COVID-19; there is more information available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/coding-and-reporting.htm
2) To be fully prepared to apply on day one, clients can seek a copy of their deceased’s death certificate from: https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?eventtype=death
3) If the death certificate does not mention COVID-19 and the client believes it should, they must work with the New York State Department of Health or New York City Department of Health, as well as the coroner or medical examiner and certifying
official, to correct this.
For fastest service following your application, you can begin submitting documentation online through disasterassistance.gov or by fax to 855-261-3452. Documents may also be mailed to:
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
P.O. Box 10001
Hyattsville, MD 20782
To prepare for applying to the program, gather the following documentation:
- An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including US territories and the District of Columbia
- Funeral expense documents, receipts, funeral home contract, etc. that includes the applicant's name, the deceased person's name, the amount of the funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened
- Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. This program cannot duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources
Please have the following information before contacting FEMA to apply:
- Your name, social security number, date of birth, mailing address and contact phone numbers.
- The name, social security number and date of birth for each deceased individual.
- The 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.
- If you and another person both incurred funeral expenses for the same deceased individual(s), you can also provide that person as a co-applicant; include their name, social security number and date of birth on the application.
Additional information for death certificates:
1) FEMA is using the CDC’s guidelines for death certificates related to COVID-19; there is more information available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/covid19/coding-and-reporting.htm
2) To be fully prepared to apply on day one, clients can seek a copy of their deceased’s death certificate from: https://www.vitalchek.com/order_main.aspx?eventtype=death
3) If the death certificate does not mention COVID-19 and the client believes it should, they must work with the New York State Department of Health or New York City Department of Health, as well as the coroner or medical examiner and certifying
official, to correct this.
For fastest service following your application, you can begin submitting documentation online through disasterassistance.gov or by fax to 855-261-3452. Documents may also be mailed to:
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
P.O. Box 10001
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Program Fees
Free.
Date of Official Change
Aug 04, 2023