Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress authorized FEMA to provide up to $9,000 in financial assistance to individuals who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.

Through this program, our government is recognizing the great loss our country has suffered because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

Exclusively for NFDA Members

To help you reach out to families and your community, we have compiled a number of resources that can be found on the FEMA Funeral Assistance page in the NFDA COVID-19 Information Hub.

• FEMA Website – The FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance website has complete details that will help you and your families understand eligibility criteria, required documentation and how to apply.
• FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance FAQ – FEMA has prepared an FAQ document, which can be found on its COVID-19 Funeral Assistance website, that answers questions you and your families might have.
• Sample Letter to Families – NFDA recommends you reach out to families whose loved one’s death may have been or was likely caused by COVID-19 to let them know they may qualify for FEMA Funeral Assistance.
• News Release Template – NFDA suggests you alert members of your community regarding the availability of FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance by sending out a news release.
• Social Media Tools – Another way you can share news about the availability of FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is via social media.
• Flyer – As you continue to serve families who may have experienced the death of a loved one due to COVID-19, you may wish to include a flyer about FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance in the packet of information you give to them during the arrangement conference.
• Sign – You may wish to post signs in common spaces in your funeral home about FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.
• Print Newspaper Ad – You might consider informing your community about FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance by placing an ad in your local newspaper.
• FEMA Video –FEMA has finalized a video that gives a comprehensive overview of COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, including eligibility criteria, required documentation and the application process. We will post a link to this video once it is available for your use.
• Conversation Guide for Funeral Directors – Many families delayed having a service. Some families may now struggle to see the value in having a service weeks, months or even more than a year after the death. NFDA’s new conversation guide provides you with strategies to have this very important conversation.
• Planning a Service in the Future - Free Planning Guide for Families – A new, free guide helps families through the process of planning a service in the future – and how you can help them create a meaningful tribute.
• At-need Financing – NFDA Endorsed Provider, LendingUSA. NFDA’s Endorsed Provider Partnership with LendingUSA enables members to offer families a unique funeral financing program designed to help them finance funeral arrangements without requiring them to provide full upfront payment.
• Collections Services – NFDA Endorsed Provider HunterWarfield. Some funeral directors have noted challenges they are facing with unpaid funeral bills during the pandemic. NFDA members are fortunate and can take advantage of the collections services of Hunter Warfield, one of our Endorsed Provider Partners.

Update: April 12, 2021 - If you previously downloaded the kit materials, go back to find updated materials:

• NEW: FEMA has created a video that gives a comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, including eligibility criteria, required documentation and the application process.
• NEW: FEMA has developed a flyer with information about eligibility criteria, required documentation and the information an applicant will need to have on hand when they call to register for assistance.  
• Updated signs and flyers created by NFDA for use with the families you serve

Members: Visit the FEMA Funeral Assistance Page in the NFDA COVID-19 Information Hub to download the toolkit and get tips for how you can use these materials as you reach out to families and your community!