FEMA to Provide Funds for Funeral Costs of COVID-19-Related Deaths

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Late last month the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it will be providing financial assistance for funeral expenses for deaths related to coronavirus. The program was created to ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. 

"At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters," said Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense grief for so many people. Although we cannot change what has happened, we affirm our commitment to help with funeral and burial expenses that many families did not anticipate."

According to FEMA, in order for the affected families to receive the funds, they must fulfill the following requirements:

• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or a qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020, for a death attributed to COVID-19. The applicant must be over the age of 18.
• If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should apply under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from other individuals not listed as the applicant and co-applicant who may have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the deceased individual. 
• An applicant may apply for multiple deceased individuals.
• The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
• This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.  
• Funeral assistance is intended to assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.

FEMA will also create a dedicated 800 number to aid families with questions and information.

Potential applicants are encouraged to gather up the following documents prior to starting the application.

• An official death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States. The death certificate must indicate the death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result of” COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are considered sufficient attribution.
• Funeral expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that include the applicant’s name, the deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and dates the funeral expenses were incurred.
• Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. Funeral assistance may not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, federal/state/local/tribal/territorial government programs or agencies, or other sources,