FEMA began accepting application for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 201 through their dedicated call center.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
Applications begin on April 12, 2021
844-684-6333 / TTY: 800-462-7585

Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time

Click here to access the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance webpage (resources on this page are available in multiple languages)
Click here to access the FEMA Funeral Assistance FAQ

FEMA Policy for COVID Funeral Reimbursement

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

FEMA shared that the maximum financial assistance will be $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per applicant per state, territory, or the District of Columbia. Funds will be received either by check via mail or direct deposit, applicants will choose with option when applying.

FEMA will begin accepting applications on April 12, 2021. A dedicated toll-free phone number (844-684-6333) will be available to complete an application. No online applications will be accepted. Once an applicant has applied for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance they will be provided an application number and then supporting documentation will be submitted by uploading, faxing or mailing requested documents.

Additionally, 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 after January 20, 2020.

The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien but there is no requirement for the deceased person to have been U.S. citizens, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.

Now is the time for families to decide who the applicant and any co-applicants will be and to gather the documents they need to be reimbursed for expenses.

Specifically, the applicant must provide the following documents:

1. An official 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. The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
   
2. Proof of funeral expenses incurred. Documentation (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) must include the applicant's name as the responsible person for the expense, the deceased individual's name, the amount of funeral expenses, and that funeral expenses were incurred after January 20, 2020.
   
3. Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. FEMA is not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources. If they received financial assistance through the deceased’s life insurance policy, they may still apply for reimbursement.
   

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.