Funeral Assistance FAQ

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is considered a one-time payment for funeral expenses, and individuals should apply after incurring all applicable costs. If an individual incurs additional funeral expenses after receiving COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, they will need to file an appeal and submit additional documentation (e.g., receipts, funeral home contract, etc.). COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is limited to a maximum of $9,000 per deceased individual and $35,500 per application, per state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia, in cases where the applicant incurred funeral expenses for multiple deceased individuals.

Following consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FEMA believes the largest number of undiagnosed COVID-19 cases likely occurred early in the pandemic and prior to the implementation of CDC’s national guidance on death certification related to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is considered a one-time payment for funeral expenses, and you should apply after you have incurred all expenses. If you incur additional funeral expenses after receiving COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, you will need to submit an appeal and additional supporting documentation (e.g., receipts, funeral home contract, etc.). COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is limited to a maximum of $9,000 per deceased individual.

During the first 365 days after you apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, FEMA sends a series of reminders asking you to submit any outstanding required information and documentation. If you do not submit the information and documentation within 365 days, you will be notified your application was placed in a suspended status. When your application is suspended, FEMA will not send additional reminders or continue to follow-up on your application. If you no longer wish to be considered for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, no further action is needed. If you do want FEMA to finish processing your application, you can submit the required information and documentation, and FEMA will reopen your application for additional processing. You will not need to submit an appeal.

If you incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses for more than one individual, you may receive at a maximum of $9,000 per deceased individual and a maximum of $35,500 per application, if you incurred funeral expenses for multiple deceased individuals per state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.

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.

FEMA expanded its COVID-19 Funeral Assistance documentation requirements to allow applicants to submit a signed statement from the certifying official listed on the death certificate, or the local medical examiner or local coroner, attributing the death to COVID-19 for deaths that occurred between Jan. 20 and May 16, 2020.

The signed statement must accompany the death certificate and include a causal pathway, or explanation, linking the cause of death on the death certificate to COVID-‍19.

No. COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is limited to a maximum of $9,000 per deceased individual and $35,500 per application, per state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia, in cases where the applicant incurred funeral expenses for multiple deceased individuals.

No. By law, COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is provided to the individual who incurred the expenses. It is the applicant’s responsibility to pay the funeral home the amount due.