FEMA COVID-19 Funeral and Burial Reimbursement Program

In March 2021, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a new program to provide financial assistance to families for certain COVID-19 related funeral expenses. The FEMA COVID-19 Funeral and Burial Reimbursement Program will pay up to $9,000 in expenses for funeral, cremation, and interment costs. Families that have lost multiple family members may qualify for higher reimbursement amounts. FEMA will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through a dedicated call center.

Fraud Alert

FEMA has received reports of scammers reaching out to people offering to register them for funeral assistance. FEMA has not sent any such notifications and does not contact people prior to them registering for assistance.

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet the following conditions:

1. The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

2. The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.

3. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.

4. There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.

What funeral expenses are covered?

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance will assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation. Any receipts received for expenses that are not related to funeral services will not be determined eligible expenses. Expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation typically 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

More information is available on the FEMA FAQ page here.

How to apply

Call: 844-684-6333
TTY: 800-462-7585

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

If you incurred COVID-19 funeral expenses, Sumner Voiles Funeral Chapel encourages you to keep and gather documentation. Types of information should include:

An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened.

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 Sumner Voiles Funeral Chapel assisted you with planning funeral arrangements for a COVID-19 victim since January 20, 2020, we would be happy to answer your questions or assist you with the documentation you will need to apply. Just call our office at 253-863-6332 to schedule an appointment.

For the latest information from FEMA, please click here