What Is FEMA Funeral Assistance?

Definition and Example of FEMA Funeral Assistance

FEMA Funeral Assistance is a financial assistance program offered by the federal government to US citizens, non-citizen nationals, and qualified aliens who incurred funeral expenses for someone whose death is related to a declared natural disaster or other event, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program provides up to $9,000 for each deceased individual. If you incurred funeral expenses for more than one person, you would include all the information on one application. The maximum amount you can receive is $35,000.

Since the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still ongoing, here’s more information about who qualifies for this specific FEMA Funeral Assistance program.

• The person applying for assistance must be a US citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien. There is no citizenship requirement for the deceased person.
• The death must have happened in the United States of America.
• Funeral expenses must have been incurred after January 20, 2020.
• The death must be directly or indirectly attributed to COVID-19 and be listed as such on the death certificate.

If you think you’re eligible for the assistance program, call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance helpline. Representatives can help you complete the application. You’ll then provide the required documentation to FEMA.

How FEMA Funeral Assistance Works

The COVID-19 Funeral Assistance funds were authorized by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. If you have incurred funeral expenses for a COVID-19-related death and meet the requirements previously mentioned, you can apply for financial help.

Before you call the helpline, you should have the following information close at hand:

• Your contact information, including your Social Security number, birthdate, address, and phone number
• Contact information for any co-applicants; you would need this if someone else helped pay for the funeral expenses, too.
• The name, Social Security number, and birthdate of the deceased
• The address where the person died
• Documentation for any funeral assistance you’ve received from other sources; this could be from burial insurance, donations, other government agencies, or nonprofit organizations.
• Your banking details if you want the funds directly deposited

Once you complete your application, you’ll need to send in your required documentation. These include:

• A copy of the death certificate
• Proof of the funeral expenses you’ve paid
• Proof of other funeral assistance you’ve already received

You can upload these documents to a secure folder in your DisasterAssistance.gov portal, fax them to (855) 261-3452, or mail the documents to PO BOX 10001, Hyattsville, MD 20782. Do this as quickly as possible to avoid any delays in processing your application.

After FEMA receives all your documents, it will begin verifying and validating them. This could include contacting the funeral home to confirm the information you provided is legitimate. After this process, FEMA makes a decision. You’ll typically know the outcome within 30 days of submitting your documentation.

You’ll usually receive your funds within a matter of days if you opted for direct deposit. It will take longer to get your money if you requested to check.

What Does the FEMA Funeral Assistance Program Cover?

This program is designed to cover expenses related to the burial of your loved one. Here are some of the qualifying expenses it covers:

• The transportation for up to two people to identify the deceased
• Transfer of remains
• Cremation
• Interment
• A casket or urn
• A burial plot or cremation niche
• Funeral services
• A marker or headstone
• Death certificate expenses
• Funeral-home staff fees

Although this is a list of commonly covered items, it isn’t exhaustive. If you have other funeral expenses, FEMA can help you determine if they qualify or not.

What’s Not Covered by the FEMA Funeral Assistance Program?

Not all funeral expenses qualify for the FEMA program. Here are a few things that you typically can’t seek reimbursement for:

• Obituary fees
• Flowers
• Meal expenses or catering
• Gratuitities

If the funeral home you use offers a package rate, you’ll need to provide an itemized receipt. This way, FEMA can verify qualifying expenses.

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