Individuals and Households Program (IHP) Funeral Assistance for Surfside Building Collapse

• FEMA may be able to provide financial assistance to you if you have or will incur funeral expenses as a result of the Surfside building collapse under the Other Needs Assistance provision of the Individuals and Households Program. 
• An individual who incurs or will incur expenses related to a death attributed directly or indirectly to a declared emergency or major disaster may apply for and, if eligible, receive Funeral Assistance.
• Unlike most other forms of IHP assistance, an applicant seeking Funeral Assistance does not need to live in Miami Dade County to be considered for assistance.
• Multiple applications for the same deceased individual are not allowed.

Conditions of Eligibility

• The applicant (person incurring the expenses) must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen.
• FEMA must be able to verify the applicant's identity.
• If the applicant incurred or will incur eligible funeral expenses, which are not covered by other sources. Other sources may include burial insurance or monetary assistance from voluntary agencies, applicable government programs, or other entities.  
• The applicant’s necessary expenses and serious needs are directly caused by a declared emergency or disaster.
• A medical examiner, coroner, or other certifier has attributed the death to the emergency or disaster, either directly or indirectly.

Additional Program Information

• Funeral Assistance is limited to a maximum of $7,500 per decedent.
• For multiple family member deaths, FEMA may provide assistance up to the Other Needs Assistance maximum award which is $36,000.00.
• The following items are eligible expenses:
  • Transfer of remains;
  • Casket or urn;
  • Burial plot or cremation niche;
  • Marker or headstone;
  • Transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased if such identification is required by state local, tribal or territorial government authorities;
  • Interment;
  • Funeral services;
  • Clergy or officiant services;
  • Costs associated with producing and certifying up to five death certificates; and/or
  • Additional expenses mandated by any applicable local government laws or ordinances.

FEMA cannot provide assistance for any of the following:      

• Obituaries;
• Flowers;
• Printed materials such as banners, programs, or register books;
• Catering services, including food;
• Transporting applicant or others to site(s) of funeral services or interment; or
• Gratuities.