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 not limited to:
– Transportation to identify the deceased individual
– The transfer of remains
– 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?
– 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)
To apply, call the FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline at
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 us online at FEMA.gov/funeral-assistance/faq.
Information is provided in several languages both by telephone and the website. For fastest service following your application, you can begin submitting documentation online through Disasterassistance.gov, by fax 855-261-3452. Documents may also be mailed to: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance; P.O. Box 10001; Hyattsville, MD 20782