COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many. At FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), their 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 is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Learn more below and at https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline
844-684-6333

Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

What:

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance- It is financial aid for funeral expenses for anyone who has passed away from COVID.  COVID-19 Funeral Assistance is limited to a maximum of $9,000 per deceased individual and $35,500 per application, per state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia, in cases where the applicant incurred funeral expenses for multiple deceased individuals. To learn more visit: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

Who:

  • You are a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses on or after Jan. 20, 2020, and
  • The funeral expenses were for an individual whose death in the United States, including the U.S. territories or the District of Columbia, may have been caused by, or was likely the result of, COVID-19.

How:

No online applications will be accepted. When you call, it will take about 20 minutes to apply. You can ask questions and receive the help you need with the application process as well as referral information for grief support.

Once you have applied for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance and received your FEMA application number, you may submit required documentation to FEMA in several ways:

  • Upload documents to your DisasterAssistance.gov account
  • Fax to: 855-261-3452
  • Mail to: P.O. BOX 10001, Hyattsville, MD 20782

Eligible COVID-19 Funeral Assistance expenses typically include, but are not limited to:

  • Funeral services
  • Cremation
  • Interment
  • 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
  • Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates
  • Additional expenses mandated by any applicable local or state government laws or ordinances

Required Documents to Apply:

  • Official death certificate that shows the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and District of Columbia.
  • If the death certificate was issued between Jan. 20 and May 16, 2020, it must either 1) attribute the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 or 2) be accompanied by a signed statement from the original certifier of the death certificate or the local medical examiner or coroner from the jurisdiction in which the death occurred listing COVID-19 as a cause or contributing cause of death. This signed statement must provide an additional explanation, or causal pathway, linking the cause of death listed on the death certificate to COVID-19.
  • If the death certificate occurred on or after May 17, 2020, the death certificate must attribute the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19.

For informational purposes only.  Vantage Financial Partners Limited, Inc. is a Registered Investment Advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement by the SEC nor does it indicate attaining a particular level of skill or ability.