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Funeral Assistance

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Assistance with Deaths from COVID-19

FEMA began accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through a dedicated call center.

Update: FEMA Funeral Reimbursement to End September 30, 2025.

Read More about Deadline

Have You Incurred Funeral Expenses for a Loved One Lost to COVID-19?

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number | Applications begin on April 12, 2021

  • (844) 684-6333 | TTY: (800) 462-7585
  • Hours of Operation:
  • Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress authorized FEMA to provide financial assistance to individuals who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses after January 20, 2020. Today, FEMA has issued its final policy – which includes details such as eligibility and documentation criteria and the application process – for how funds will be distributed to families. Most notably, FEMA shared that the maximum financial assistance will now be $9,000 per funeral.

Additionally, FEMA will only award COVID-19 Funeral Assistance for a deceased individual on a single application. If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should register under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. The applicant or co-applicant must have incurred the funeral expenses. The deceased individual’s documentation status is not considered as part of the reimbursement process, but the applicant(s) must be U.S. citizens, legal residents, asylees, refugees, or non-citizen nationals.

Now is the time for families to decide who the applicant and any co-applicants will be and to gather the documents they need to be reimbursed for expenses.

Specifically, the applicant must provide the following documents:  

  • A copy of the death certificate. The death certificate must indicate the death "may have been caused by" or "was likely a result of" COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are also considered sufficient.
  • Proof of funeral expenses incurred. Documentation (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) must include the applicant's name as the responsible person for the expense, the deceased individual's name, the amount of funeral expenses, and that funeral expenses were incurred after January 20, 2020.

Eligible funeral expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual
  • Transfer of remains
  • Casket or urn
  • Burial plot or cremation niche
  • Marker or headstone
  • Clergy or officiant services
  • Arrangement of the funeral ceremony
  • Use of funeral home equipment or staff
  • Cremation or interment costs
  • Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates

Additional expenses mandated by any applicable local or state government laws or ordinances.

If applicants already received reimbursement for certain funeral expenses through government agencies, voluntary agencies, non-profits, preneed insurance or a funeral trust, they cannot resubmit those same expenses for reimbursement through this FEMA-administered program. If they received any outside assistance, they must include documentation of this assistance in their application. If they received financial assistance through the deceased’s life insurance policy, they may still apply for reimbursement.

Please review this information carefully so you can be prepared to provide information and technical assistance to families and friends of the deceased who may be eligible.

For more details visit https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

Funeral Assistance FAQs

FEMA is providing reimbursements on funeral expenses up to $9,000 per funeral (maximum of $35,500 per application per state) to families who have incurred funeral expenses for a COVID-19- related death after January 20, 2020. Here are a few answers to common questions.

An applicant will be a person who has incurred funeral expenses for a deceased person whose cause of death was related to COVID-19. If more than one individual contributed toward the funeral expenses, they must register with FEMA under the same application as the applicant and co-applicant. No more than one co-applicant can be included on an application. There will be one (1) application accepted per funeral. FEMA recommends that applicants take their time, gather ALL documentation associated with the funeral if other services are planned for a later date, and submit all documentation at one time to receive a full reimbursement. Applicants will then call FEMA’s dedicated toll-free number at 844-684-6333 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Central Time starting April 12 to begin the application process.

Applicants will need:

  • Copy of the death certificate showing COVID-19 as contributing to the cause of death. A copy is sufficient. The death must have occurred in the U.S. or U.S. territories.
  • Verification of identity and status. The applicant must verify he/she is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred expenses after January 20, 2020. (The deceased person does not need to meet these requirements.)
  • Proof of funeral expenses, including receipts or contracts showing the applicant’s name, the deceased’s name, the amount, and the dates expenses were incurred.
  • Documentation of other benefits or sources of financial assistance received specifically for funeral costs. Assistance may not duplicate benefits from burial/funeral insurance, voluntary agencies, government programs, or other sources.

Documents can be uploaded to www.disasterassistance.gov, faxed, or mailed to FEMA.

Yes, if funeral expenses were paid using life insurance that was not specifically designed to cover funeral costs, the funeral expenses would be eligible for reimbursement.

No, FEMA is unable to assign the benefit to anyone other than the person who incurred the expense. However, the funeral home may help the applicant with gathering appropriate documentation. Applicants may also grant third party consent for assistance if they are a senior citizen, hearing impaired, visually impaired, or otherwise in need of help.

Yes. FEMA views a signed contract showing a balance due as a commitment to pay; therefore, those expenses can be included when applying, even if payment has not yet been made or services have not yet been rendered. FEMA encourages applicants to wait to submit all documents at one time to avoid having to go through the appeal process.

Currently, there is no deadline to apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. FEMA will communicate a specific deadline once established.

Not likely. There is no cap for this program (in total); therefore, funds should not run out. FEMA encourages families to remember that there is no rush to apply at this time.

No, there is not. FEMA will ask income-based questions for demographic purposes only, but there is no income threshold to apply for funeral assistance.

FEMA is setting up a dedicated toll-free phone number and a 5,000-person call center to review and process applications. No online applications will be accepted. Multilingual services and a TTY number will be available.

FEMA expects to begin accepting applications in early April. Applicants are encouraged to gather all documentation in advance before calling the toll-free number.

If you have further questions, please visit the FEMA website: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance