FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
Individuals will be able to begin applying for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance on April 12. The FEMA Funeral Assistance website has been updated with phone numbers that families can call to begin the application process.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
844-684-6333 OR 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 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 begin deciding 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:
WE HAVE ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS YOU WILL NEED ORGANIZED AND READY FOR YOU. 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.
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.
Eligible funeral expenses include but are not limited to: 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, Cremation or interment costs, Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates, Additional expenses mandated by any applicable local or state government laws or ordinances.
If applicants already received reimbursement for certain funeral expenses through government agencies, voluntary agencies, non-profits, burial or funeral insurance, they cannot resubmit those same expenses for reimbursement through this FEMA-administered program. If they received any outside assistance, they must include documentation of this assistance in their application. If they received financial assistance through the deceased’s life insurance policy, they may still apply for reimbursement.
Additional Resources
- FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Video (share this link with families that may be eligible for reimbursement of funeral expenses)
- Funeral Assistance FAQ
- COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Individuals and Households Program Policy (Interim)