FEMA Assistance Includes Funeral Expenses

Losing a loved one is an unimaginable tragedy. FEMA assistance may be available for funeral or reburial costs as a result of the Aug. 8 wildfires on Maui. 

FEMA can help with the unexpected and uninsured expenses associated with the passing of an immediate family member during a declared major federal disaster or emergency. 

Maui County was designated for FEMA assistance. Even if you live outside the county, you and your family may still qualify for funeral assistance if the death occurred within the disaster area. To request funeral assistance, you must first apply to FEMA. 

Eligibility Criteria

• As the applicant, you must provide FEMA with:
• Funeral assistance may cover certain eligible expenses including:
• an official state-issued death certificate or a signed statement from a medical examiner, coroner or other certifier stating that the death was directly or indirectly related to the wildfires;
• a receipt or verifiable estimates for out-of-pocket funeral expenses;
• confirmation that funeral expenses have not been paid for by insurance or other resources. By law, FEMA cannot provide funding when any other source – Social Security, Veterans Affairs benefits, donations, crowdfunding (e.g., GoFundMe) – has covered expenses for the same disaster-related need. If you have already received those benefits for funeral expenses, the amount you received would be subtracted from your FEMA award. 

For Interment Only

• Transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased, if the identification is required by state or local government authorities
• Interment (includes placing remains in a grave, an urn or above-ground burial site)
• Funeral services
• Clergy, officiant or cultural protocol services
• Costs associated with producing and certifying up to five death certificates

For Reinterment Only

• Funeral services (limited to preparation and use of facilities, including cultural protocols, to prepare remains for reinterment)
• Cost of identifying disinterred remains

Ineligible Costs 

• FEMA does not provide assistance for any of the following:
  • Obituaries
  • Flowers
  • Printed materials such as banners, programs or register books
  • Catering services—including food
  • Transporting you, the applicant, or others to site(s) of funeral service; interment or reinterment; and gratuities.
• Here are the ways to apply for FEMA assistance:
  • Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
  • Use the FEMA mobile app
  • Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service such as video relay service, captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service when you apply. Helpline operators speak many languages and lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • American Sign Language video on how to apply,
  • You may also visit any Disaster Recovery Center for updates about your FEMA application or answers to questions. Find a center here: DRC Locator (fema.gov)

For the latest information on Maui wildfire recovery efforts, visit mauicounty.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4724. Follow @FEMARegion9 on Twitter and at facebook.com/fema.