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. Here is what we know:

  • Families who suffered a COVID-19 death in year 2020 may apply for up to $9,000 in financial assistance for one funeral.

  • The funds will only be available for deaths that occurred in the U.S. and where COVID-19 is listed as the cause of death on the death certificate.

  • If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should register under a single application as 'applicant' and 'co-applicant'. The applicant(s) must have been the one(s) who paid the funeral expenses.

  • The deceased individual’s documentation status is not considered, but the applicant(s) must be U.S. citizens, legal residents, asylees, refugees, or non-citizen nationals.

  • The funeral director and funeral home are not able to apply on behalf of the family.

  • If they received financial assistance through the deceased's life insurance policy, they may still apply for reimbursement.

  • FEMA will start taking applications on April 12, 2021 through their dedicated call center at 844-684-6333| TTY: 800-462-7585. Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 8 am to 8pm Central Time.

Visit the FEMA website under Funeral Assistance for updated information on how to apply.

Expenses that will be eligible for coverage:

  • Transportation,

  • Transfer of remains,

  • Casket or urn,

  • Burial plot or cremation niche,

  • Marker or headstone,

  • Clergy or officiant services,

  • Arrangement of the ceremony,

  • Use of funeral home equipment and staff,

  • Cremation or interment costs,

  • Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates, and

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

Expenses that will not be covered: travel expenses for loved ones to make arrangements or attend a funeral ceremony.

What can you do now?

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:

  1. A certified copy of the death certificate. The death must have occurred in the U.S. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs.

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.