FEMA Funeral Assistance: How to Apply If a Death Was COVID-Related

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in over one million deaths in the United States, and many families were left with unexpected funeral expenses. In response, FEMA established the Funeral Assistance program to help reimburse families for COVID-19 related funeral costs. The program provides up to $9,000 per funeral and remains available to eligible applicants. Here is everything you need to know about whether you qualify and how to apply.

What Is FEMA Funeral Assistance

FEMA Funeral Assistance is a federal program that reimburses families for funeral expenses incurred due to a COVID-19 related death. The program was authorized under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. It is administered by FEMA as part of its disaster assistance mission.

The assistance covers funeral expenses for deaths that occurred on or after January 20, 2020. There is no deadline to apply as of the time of this writing, but FEMA could close the application window in the future. Families who have not yet applied should do so as soon as possible to ensure they receive any assistance they are entitled to.

This program is specifically for COVID-19 related deaths. It does not cover funeral expenses for deaths caused by other illnesses, accidents, or natural causes. The death certificate or an amendment to the death certificate must attribute the cause of death to COVID-19 for the application to be considered.

Who Qualifies

To qualify for FEMA Funeral Assistance, you must meet several requirements. You must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien. The death must have occurred in the United States, including U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

The death certificate must list COVID-19 as a cause of death or a contributing factor. If the original death certificate does not mention COVID-19 but the family believes the death was related to the virus, it may be possible to have the death certificate amended. Contact the local vital records office in the state where the death occurred to inquire about the amendment process.

There is no income limit or means test for FEMA Funeral Assistance. Families of any income level can apply, as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements. However, if funeral expenses were fully covered by another source, such as burial insurance, a GoFundMe campaign, or another government program, you may not be eligible for FEMA reimbursement for those specific expenses.

What Expenses Are Covered

FEMA reimburses a broad range of funeral related expenses. Covered costs include transportation of the deceased, transfer of remains, the casket or urn, a burial plot or cremation niche, a headstone or marker, clergy or officiant fees, funeral home services, and the use of funeral home facilities for a viewing or ceremony.

Additional covered expenses include costs for two or more people to travel to the funeral home to make arrangements, cremation costs, and costs related to producing multiple death certificates. If the funeral involved both a burial and a later memorial service, the expenses for both can be included in the application.

The maximum reimbursement is $9,000 per funeral. If you incurred expenses for multiple COVID-19 related funerals, you can apply for each one separately, up to a total of $35,500 across all applications. Any amounts already received from other sources, such as insurance, charitable organizations, or government programs, will be deducted from the FEMA payment.

How to Apply Step by Step

The application process begins with a phone call to the FEMA helpline at 1-844-684-6333. This line is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. A FEMA representative will walk you through the application over the phone and tell you what documentation you need to submit.

After the phone interview, you will need to submit supporting documents. These typically include a copy of the death certificate listing COVID-19 as a cause of death, funeral home receipts and invoices showing the expenses you paid, and proof of your identity such as a driver's license. You can submit documents by fax, mail, or by uploading them to your FEMA online account at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Once FEMA receives your complete application and documentation, they will review it and issue a decision. If approved, the payment will be sent by direct deposit or check, depending on your preference. If denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason, and you have the right to appeal the decision.

Documents You Will Need

Gather these documents before calling FEMA to apply: a certified copy of the death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19, funeral home invoices and receipts showing the costs you paid, proof of funds received from other sources (insurance, donations, other government programs), and your own identification documents.

If multiple family members contributed to the funeral expenses, each person can apply for reimbursement of the portion they paid. However, the total reimbursement for one funeral cannot exceed $9,000. Keep receipts for every expense, including small ones like flowers or printed programs, because they all count toward the total.

If the death certificate does not currently list COVID-19 as a cause of death but the family believes it should, contact the certifying physician or the local vital records office about amending the death certificate. FEMA requires the death certificate to reference COVID-19 before they can approve the application.

Common Reasons Applications Are Denied

The most common reason for denial is that the death certificate does not mention COVID-19 as a cause of death or contributing factor. Without this documentation, FEMA cannot approve the application. If you believe the death was related to COVID-19 but the certificate does not reflect this, work with the attending physician or medical examiner to have it amended before reapplying.

Incomplete documentation is another frequent cause of denial. If you do not provide all required receipts, invoices, and identification, FEMA will request the missing items. If you do not respond within the timeframe they specify, your application may be denied. Keep copies of everything you submit and respond to FEMA requests promptly.

Applications are also denied when funeral expenses have already been fully covered by another source. FEMA is a payer of last resort, meaning they only reimburse expenses that were not covered by insurance, charitable donations, or other government assistance. If your funeral costs were fully covered, you will not receive additional funds from FEMA.