Funeral Assistance FAQ

FEMA expanded the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Interim Policy to assist with COVID-19 related deaths that occurred in the early months of the pandemic, before the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance on death certification. This policy change allows applicants to submit a signed statement from the certifying official on the death certificate, or the local medical examiner or local coroner, that links the death to COVID-19 for deaths that occurred between Jan. 20 and May 16, 2020. The applicant would submit the signed statement to FEMA along with the death certificate that does not list COVID-19 as a cause of death.

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.

Only individuals who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses are eligible to apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. FEMA will not provide COVID-19 Funeral Assistance funds to states, tribes, territories, businesses, organizations, and other entities.

No. Section 408(e)(1) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) does not recognize funeral homes or other businesses as eligible recipients of federal funds under the Individuals and Households Program. FEMA will not provide COVID-19 Funeral Assistance funds to states, tribes, territories, businesses, organizations, and other entities.

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.

FEMA regulations require the applicant to use COVID-19 Funeral Assistance for its intended purpose.

FEMA eligibility determinations are generally made in fewer than 30 days from the time all required documentation is received and verified. Once an eligibility determination is made, applicants who request direct deposit may receive the funds in a matter of days. It may take longer if the applicant has chosen to receive COVID-19 Funeral Assistance by check, which is sent by mail.

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.

Funeral directors do not have a legal responsibility to assist with COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. FEMA may call the funeral home to verify receipts or expenses submitted by an applicant.

As part of the application review process, FEMA validates documentation, and may call the funeral home to verify receipts or expenses.