Funeral Assistance FAQ

FEMA extended the document submission timeline to provide more time for individuals to gather required information and documentation and out of consideration for the pandemic environment, which has delayed some activities, such as memorial services.

• States, tribes, territories, businesses, organizations, and other entities are not eligible for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.
• A minor child applying on behalf of an adult who is not a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen cannot apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.
  • However, a minor child who is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen, can apply if they directly incurred funeral expenses for a COVID-19-related death and the documentation supports that assertion.
• There are several categories of non-citizens who are not eligible for FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program, including COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. These individuals include, but are not limited to:
  • Citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands
  • Temporary tourist visa holders
  • Foreign students
  • Temporary work visa holders

No.

Any source of payment designated specifically to pay for a funeral prior to death is considered a duplication and is not eligible for reimbursement. COVID-19 Funeral Assistance may not duplicate burial or funeral insurance proceeds, pre-planned or pre-paid funeral contracts, pre-paid trusts for funeral expenses, irrevocable trusts for Medicaid, financial assistance from voluntary organizations, government programs or agencies, or any other sources specifically designated for funeral expenses. Eligible COVID-19 Funeral Assistance expenses will be reduced by the amount of other assistance you received for the same expenses.

To be eligible for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, you must provide documentation showing you incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses on or after January 20, 2020. FEMA cannot provide financial assistance that duplicates any source of funding designated specifically to pay for a funeral prior to the death or for a death not attributed to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application is completed by a FEMA representative over the phone to ensure accuracy, and applicants will need to provide the following information when they call to apply:

• Social Security Number for the applicant and the deceased individual
• Date of birth for the applicant and the deceased individual
• Current mailing address for the applicant
• Current telephone number for the applicant
• Location or address where the individual died
• Information about burial or funeral insurance policies
• Information about other funeral assistance received, such as donations, CARES Act grants, and assistance from voluntary organizations
• Routing and account number of the applicant’s checking or savings account (for direct deposit) – optional

No. The statement must be signed by the certifying official listed on the death certificate, or the local medical examiner or local coroner in the jurisdiction where the individual died.

FEMA will not provide COVID-19 Funeral Assistance funds to states, tribes, territories, businesses, organizations, and other entities. The burial society would need to provide an itemized bill to the society member. The society member would then submit the bill to FEMA as part of their application for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.

After you apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance by calling the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline, the FEMA representative will provide you with a FEMA application number. You will need to include this number on any documentation you submit to FEMA, or if you call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline to ask questions about your application. 

Within 3 to 5 business days after you apply, FEMA will send you a letter with information about COVID-19 Funeral Assistance and a list of documents you must submit.

If you use a relay service such as a videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, please provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to you for that service so that FEMA can contact you.

The 365-day document submission requirement will occur 12 months after you initially applied for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. FEMA sends multiple reminders to applicants throughout this 365-day timeframe, to include instructions at the time of application, personal and automated phone calls, emails, text messages and/or written correspondence 60, 90 and 150 days after you apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance and 60 days before the 365-day deadline.