Apply to FEMA for COVID-19 Related Funeral Expenses
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting applications for funeral assistance and reimbursement through its COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
This assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application. The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
The Helpline is 844-684-6333 and is available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
Examples of eligible expenses may 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 and applicable local or state government laws or ordinances.
The information you will be required to provide to FEMA to apply for this assistance includes:
Your 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 individual died.
Copy of death certificate that indicates the death was caused by, “may have been caused by,” or “was likely a result of” COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms.
If the death certificate was issued between January 20 and May, 2020 and does not list COVID-19 as a cause of death, you may submit the death certificate with a signed statement from the original certifier of the death that attributes the death to COVID-19..
Documentation and receipts for funeral assistance received from other sources, including burial or funeral insurance, donations, other government programs or non-profit organizations.
After you contact FEMA and apply, you can then submit documents either:
Online at DisasterAssistance.gov
Via fax at 855-261-3452
By mail at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, P.O. Box 10001, Hyattsville, MD 20782.
Visit FEMA.gov/funeral-assistance/faq for additional information.
You cannot apply online. The call will take about 20 minutes.
If you are approved for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, you will receive funds by direct deposit or a check by mail, depending on which option you chose when you applied for assistance.
