Funeral Assistance FAQ

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The COVID-19 incident period ended on May 11, 2023. FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until Sept. 30, 2025, to those who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Eligible COVID-19 Funeral Assistance expenses typically include, but are not limited to:

  • Funeral services
  • Cremation
  • Interment
  • Transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual
  • Transfer of remains
  • Casket or urn
  • Burial plot or cremation niche
  • Marker or headstone
  • Clergy or officiant services
  • Arrangement of the funeral ceremony
  • Use of funeral home equipment or staff
  • Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates
  • Additional expenses mandated by any applicable local or state government laws or ordinances

You will need to provide the following information when you call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline to apply for assistance:

  • Social Security number for the applicant and the deceased individual
  • Date of birth for the applicant and the deceased individual
  • Current mailing address for the applicant
  • Current telephone number for the applicant
  • Location or address where the individual died
  • Information about burial or funeral insurance policies
  • Information about other funeral assistance received, such as donations, CARES Act grants, and assistance from voluntary organizations
  • Routing and account number of the applicant’s checking or savings account (for direct deposit) – optional

Financial assistance for pre-disaster renters may cover reimbursement for short-term lodging expenses, funds to rent temporary housing, funds to replace or repair necessary personal property, a vehicle; uninsured funeral, medical, dental, childcare, moving and storage expenses. Uninsured medical and dental expenses may include lost or damaged medical equipment or disaster-caused injuries.

If Direct Housing Assistance is authorized for the disaster, you may be eligible for Direct Temporary Housing Assistance if you are unable to use financial assistance to secure temporary housing and you have no other housing options available to you.

FEMA will not approve financial assistance for third-party fees charged to assist individuals with the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application process.

FEMA eligibility determinations are generally made in fewer than 30 days from the time all required documentation is received and verified. Once an eligibility determination is made, applicants who request direct deposit may receive the funds in a matter of days. It may take longer if the applicant has chosen to receive COVID-19 Funeral Assistance by check, which is sent by mail.

No. The signed statement must accompany the death certificate. The letter must also include a causal pathway, or explanation, linking the cause of death on the death certificate to COVID-19.

No. COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is only available to individuals who incurred funeral expenses for a death attributed to COVID-19 on or after January 20, 2020.

No. Pre-paid funerals and funerals that have been paid by the deceased individual’s estate are not eligible for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.

All funeral expenses for a deceased individual must be submitted in a single application. You may include one co-applicant on your application. If multiple people contribute toward an individual’s COVID-19-related funeral expenses, one of them should apply for assistance and submit funeral expense documentation from everyone who contributed in that single application.

You have 60 days from the date of the decision letter to upload, fax, or mail a written and signed letter appealing FEMA's decision.

The appeal letter should include the following:

  • Your full name; FEMA application number; FEMA disaster number; and current phone number and address. You must include your application number on each page of your appeal documentation.
  • Explanation of why you think FEMA’s decision is not correct.
  • Supporting documentation, such as a death certificate, funeral home contract, invoice, signed statement, etc.
  • Your signature

Submit your appeal documents by:

  • Upload to your DisasterAssistance.gov account
  • Fax to: 855-261-3452
  • Mail to: P.O. BOX 10001, Hyattsville, MD 20782

Your COVID-19 Funeral Assistance decision letter lists the specific documentation you must provide to FEMA if you decided to appeal. A FEMA representative may call you to provide further details, or you may contact the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline for more information on the documentation needed.

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