FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
June 30, 2022
Eligibility & Application Process
Applying for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance starts with a simple phone call. It only takes about 20 minutes to complete an application with a FEMA representative who will explain the process and answer any questions.
HOW TO APPLY
Individuals who incurred funeral expenses for a death attributed to COVID-19 may apply by calling the toll-free COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline at 844-684-6333.
Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Service is available in multiple languages.
When the application is complete, the applicant will receive a FEMA application number and a letter explaining how to submit documents to FEMA. They can send their documents via web, fax, or mail:
- Upload to: DisasterAssistance.gov, which is available to the applicant after the application process is completed
- Fax to: 855-261-3452
- Mail to: P.O. BOX 10001, Hyattsville, MD 20782
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
- The official death certificate that shows the death happened in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, and attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19
- If the death certificate was issued between January 20 and May 16, 2020, and does not attribute the death to COVID-19, you may also provide a statement signed by the certifying official who signed the death certificate, medical examiner, or coroner linking the cause of death on the death certificate to COVID-19
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
You may qualify for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance if:
- You are a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national, or qualified noncitizen
- You incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses on or after January 20, 2020.
- The death was attributed to COVID-19, as noted on the death certificate.
WHAT IS COVERED
Eligible COVID-19 Funeral Assistance expenses include, but are not limited to:
- Funeral services
- Cremation
- Burial
- Transportation for up to two people to identify the deceased individual
- Transfer of remains
- Casket or urn
- Burial plot or cremation niche
- Marker or headstone
- Clergy or officiant services
- Funeral ceremony arrangements
- Use of funeral home equipment or staff
- Costs for producing multiple death certificates
- Additional expenses required by local or state government laws
FOR MORE INFORMATION
You may find more information on FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance website https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance