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

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, the mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. They are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

FEMA will pay up to $7,000 for funeral expenses for COVID deaths under the provisions of two laws passed recently by Congress. 

FEMA will begin to implement COVID-19 funeral assistance in April 2021.

If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, they encourage 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. They are not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources.

www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance