FEMA Funeral Assistance

Updated: December 15, 2021

New FEMA Resources Available

FEMA asks for assistance from funeral home professionals to amplify messaging among the families you’ve served and your community. FEMA’s Funeral Assistance program provides funding for eligible funeral costs not duplicated by other sources. To assist you with getting information directly to the public, FEMA created resource materials for you. These resources include flyers explaining eligibility requirements and types of services funded, and most importantly, how someone can apply for assistance. Resources also include graphic images to share on social media platforms. These materials are available in multiple languages. 

FEMA Assistance Flyers (Multiple Languages)

FEMA Assistance Social Media Graphics

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress authorized FEMA to provide financial assistance to individuals who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses after January 20, 2020. On March 24, 2021, FEMA issued its final policy – which includes details such as eligibility and documentation criteria and the application process – for how funds will be distributed to families. Most notably, FEMA shared that the maximum financial assistance will be $9,000 per funeral.

Did You Get a Call from FEMA?

As you know, beginning in mid-April 2021, individuals who were responsible for funeral expenses for a loved one who died of COVID-19 were eligible to apply for FEMA Funeral Assistance. FEMA may contact funeral homes to validate information provided by an applicant, when needed. Learn more. 

Special FEMA FAQ For Funeral Directors

Funeral directors have had a number of specific questions regarding COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. FEMA has provided responses; find them here.

This is your chance to be a leader in your community! 

While we recognize that funeral directors are not responsible for administering this assistance, helping to educate the families you serve and your community about this assistance will go a long way in helping families honor the lives of their loved ones. Families and your community will see you as a key resource they can turn to in times of need. 

Individuals could be applying for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance on April 12. The FEMA Funeral Assistance website has the phone numbers families can call to begin the application process. 

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
844-684-6333  ●  TTY: 800-462-7585
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT

FEMA is experiencing a high volume of calls and individuals may encounter a busy signal or longer-than-normal wait times. If families call you with concerns about not being able to speak to a FEMA representative, please remind them there is no deadline to apply for funeral assistance. FEMA asks for patience so they can give each caller the care and attention they deserve.

FEMA also notes that, due to the volume of applications, it can take up to 10 days for documentation submitted via the DisasterAssistance.gov website to appear in an applicant's profile. 

(Informational video with eligibility criteria and instructions on how to apply - April 2021)

FEMA will only award COVID-19 Funeral Assistance for a deceased individual on a single application. If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should register under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. The applicant or co-applicant must have incurred the funeral expenses. The deceased individual’s documentation status is not considered as part of the reimbursement process, but the applicant(s) must be U.S. citizens, legal residents, asylees, refugees, or non-citizen nationals.

Families should decide who the applicant and any co-applicants will be and gather the documents they need to be reimbursed for expenses.

Specifically, the applicant must provide the following documents:

• A copy of the death certificate. The death certificate must indicate the death "may have been caused by" or "was likely a result of" COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are also considered sufficient.
  • Update: On June 30, 2021, FEMA issued a new policy that enables the individual who certified a death or the local medical examiners to provide a letter attributing the death to COVID-19 in lieu of an amended death certificate. Learn more.
• Proof of funeral expenses incurred. Documentation (e.g., receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) must include the applicant's name as the responsible person for the expense, the decedent’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and that funeral expenses were incurred after January 20, 2020.