The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Monday began processing applications for funeral assistance, helping ease some of the financial stress created by the COVID-19 pandemic.
FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
There is currently no deadline to apply. To apply, call 844-684-6333 (TTY: 800-462-7585) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CDT Monday through Friday. Multilingual services are available.
Applicants may receive assistance for the funeral expenses of multiple deceased individuals. Assistance is limited to a maximum of $9,000 per funeral.
To be eligible for funeral assistance, applicants must meet these conditions:
- The death must have occurred in the United States. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020.
- The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
- There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance will assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation. Any receipts received for expenses that are not related to funeral services will not be determined eligible expenses. Expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation typically include, but are not limited to:
- Transfer of remains
- Casket or urn
- Burial plot or cremation niche
- Marker or headstone
- Clergy or officiant services
- Arrangement of the funeral ceremony
- Cremation or interment costs
For more details or for questions, visit FEMA.gov/funeral-assistance/faq. Information is provided in several languages both by telephone and the website.
According to a news release, the FEMA call center received thousands of calls Monday morning, which was causing some technical issues. Applicants are asked to be patient as FEMA works to correct these issues and to have all their important documents ready when they call to apply.
