FEMA Funeral Assistance Information

UPDATE AS OF JUNE 1, 2023:

FEMA Funeral Reimbursement to End September 30, 2025

Since FEMA began accepting applications for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance in April 2021, the agency has provided nearly $3 billion in assistance to more than 438,000 people, with an average award of $6,400. As you may have heard, the COVID-19 public health emergency ended on May 11, 2023. FEMA has announced that it will continue to provide funeral assistance until September 30, 2025, to those who paid for the funeral of a loved one who died due to COVID-19.

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.

Families should begin deciding who the applicant and any co-applicants will be and 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 (e.g., receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) must include the applicant's name as the responsible person for the expense, the decedent’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, burial or funeral insurance, 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.

How Funds are Received:

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.

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