Funeral Financial Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020 to eligible applicants. 

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

• The death must have occurred in the United States,
• The death certificate must indicate that the death was attributed to COVID-19 or be accompanied by a signed statement listing COVID-19 as a cause or contributing cause of death, and
• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.

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

Get more information about FEMA funeral assistance.

Required Documents

You will need the following documentation to apply: 

• An official Death Certificate
  • Please note: only the following relations to the deceased can request both the death certificate and the cause of death: 
    • ​Spouse
    • Domestic partner
    • Parent
    • Child
    • Sibling
    • Grandparent
    • Grandchild
    • Informant listed on the certificate
    • Person in control of disposition
• Funeral expenses documents (such as receipts or a funeral home contract)
• Proof of funds received from other sources

For deaths that occurred after May 16, 2020, the death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.

For deaths that occurred from January 20 to May 16, 2020, any death certificate that does not attribute the cause of death to COVID-19 must be accompanied by a signed statement listing COVID-19 as a cause or contributing cause of death. The signed statement must:

• Be provided by the original certifier of the death certificate or the local medical examiner or coroner from the jurisdiction in which the death occurred, and
• Provide an additional explanation, or causal pathway, linking the cause of death listed on the death certificate to COVID-19.

Apply

FEMA began accepting applications on Monday, April 12. You can apply by phone.

Financial assistance from the Human Resources Administration (HRA) may be available for up to $900 to meet funeral expenses for a low-income New York City resident who passed away.

Eligible burial expenses may not cost more than $1,700.