Funeral costs in the United States average between $7,000 and $12,000, and that financial shock arrives at the worst possible moment. If you are looking for help paying for a funeral, several federal programs, state assistance programs, and nonprofit resources exist to ease the burden. This guide covers every major option, who qualifies, how much help is available, and exactly how to apply.
What Programs Help Pay for Funeral Costs?
Multiple programs can help cover funeral and burial expenses, depending on how the person died, whether they were a veteran, and the family's financial situation. The main sources are:
- VA Burial Benefits (for veterans)
- Social Security Lump-Sum Death Payment
- FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
- State and county burial assistance programs
- Medicaid burial assistance (in select states)
- Nonprofit and charity programs
Each program has separate eligibility rules, dollar limits, and application processes. Many families qualify for more than one.
VA Burial Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers some of the most substantial burial assistance available. If the person who died was a veteran, this is the first program to check.
Who Qualifies
The surviving family member paying for the funeral may be eligible if the veteran:
- Did not receive a dishonorable discharge, AND
- Died as a result of a service-connected disability, OR
- Was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death, OR
- Had a pending VA compensation or pension claim at the time of death, OR
- Died while receiving VA care at a VA facility or a VA-contracted facility, OR
- Died while traveling for authorized VA medical appointments
Benefit Amounts (2025-2026)
| Situation | Burial Allowance | Plot or Interment Allowance |
|---|
| Service-connected death | Up to $2,000 | Paid separately if in private cemetery |
| Non-service-connected death | Up to $1,002 | Up to $1,002 |
| Veteran died in VA care | Up to $1,002 | Up to $1,002 |
Veterans buried in a national cemetery receive the burial at no cost. The allowances above apply to veterans buried in private cemeteries.
How to Apply for VA Burial Benefits
- Complete VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits). You can download it at va.gov or pick it up at any VA regional office.
- Gather supporting documents: the veteran's discharge papers (DD-214), death certificate, funeral home receipts, and cemetery or cremation receipts.
- Submit by mail to your regional VA Pension Management Center, or apply in person at a VA regional office.
- You can also call 1-800-827-1000 to start the process by phone.
Apply within two years of the date of burial to avoid losing eligibility.
Social Security Lump-Sum Death Payment
Social Security pays a one-time $255 death benefit to help surviving family members cover immediate costs. This amount has not changed in decades and does not cover much of a modern funeral, but it does not require much effort to claim.
Who Qualifies
- A surviving spouse who was living with the deceased worker at the time of death
- A surviving spouse who was not living with the deceased but was receiving Social Security benefits on the deceased's earnings record
- A surviving child who was receiving benefits on the deceased's earnings record, if there is no eligible surviving spouse
The deceased must have been fully or currently insured under Social Security. Divorced spouses do not qualify for this specific payment.
How to Apply
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local SSA office. You can also start the process by requesting Form SSA-8 (Application for Lump-Sum Death Payment).
Apply within two years of the date of death. SSA will not accept late applications.
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
If the death occurred after January 20, 2020, and COVID-19 was listed as a contributing cause on the death certificate, FEMA provides reimbursement for eligible funeral expenses. As of early 2026, FEMA has approved more than 506,000 applications totaling over $3.26 billion.
Eligibility Requirements
- The death must have occurred in the United States, including U.S. territories
- The death certificate must indicate COVID-19 as a cause or contributing cause of death
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
- The applicant must have incurred funeral expenses not already reimbursed by insurance, another government agency, or a nonprofit
Benefit Amounts
| Limit Type | Amount |
|---|
| Per funeral | Up to $9,000 |
| Per application (multiple deaths) | Up to $35,500 |
Eligible expenses include funeral services, interment or cremation, casket or urn, burial plot or cremation niche, marker or headstone, clergy or officiant fees, and funeral home equipment or staff.
How to Apply for FEMA Funeral Assistance
- Call FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline at 1-844-684-6333 (TTY: 1-800-462-7585). This is how you start the process. Online applications are not available.
- Have the following ready: your Social Security number, the deceased's Social Security number, the death certificate, and proof of funeral expenses such as receipts and contracts.
- FEMA will review your application and may request additional documentation.
- Reimbursements are made by check or direct deposit.
There is currently no deadline for initial FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance applications, but verify current program status at fema.gov before applying, as program rules can change.
State and County Burial Assistance
Most states operate their own burial assistance programs through county or city social services departments. These programs are often called "indigent burial" programs and are designed for families who genuinely cannot cover funeral costs.
Benefit amounts and eligibility rules vary widely. Some examples from current state programs:
| State | Program | Approximate Maximum Benefit |
|---|
| Indiana | FSSA Burial Assistance | Up to $2,000 total ($1,200 funeral + $800 cemetery) |
| New Jersey | County Burial Assistance | Up to $2,246 funeral, plus $525 for cemetery costs |
| Massachusetts | Last Resort Burial Assistance | Up to $1,100 (if total funeral cost is under $3,500) |
| Colorado | Adult Financial Programs | Up to $1,500 |
| New York City | HRA Burial Assistance | Varies by circumstance |
Most state programs require that the deceased had few or no financial assets, typically under $1,000 in liquid assets. Families already receiving SSI, Medicaid, or other means-tested benefits often qualify automatically.
How to Apply for State Burial Assistance
- Contact your county's Department of Human Services or Department of Social Services. Search for "[your county] burial assistance" or "[your state] indigent burial" to find the right office.
- Explain that you are seeking help with funeral costs and ask about burial assistance or indigent burial programs.
- Gather the death certificate, any bank statements or financial records of the deceased, and documentation of your own income if the program requires it.
- Apply as quickly as possible. Most programs require applications within 30 to 90 days of the death.
For Medicaid recipients in states like Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Wyoming, Medicaid itself may cover some cremation or burial costs. Contact your state Medicaid office to confirm what is available.
Nonprofit and Charity Funeral Assistance
Several nonprofits provide grants or direct assistance with funeral costs for families in need.
- Children's Burial Assistance: Focuses on families who have lost a child. Provides burial and funeral assistance at no cost in select states.
- National Funeral Directors Association Foundation: Maintains a list of member funeral homes that offer reduced-cost services.
- Local community foundations and churches: Many offer emergency funds for families facing funeral costs. Call 211 (United Way's helpline) to be connected with local resources.
- Funeral homes with hardship policies: Some funeral homes offer payment plans, reduced costs, or charity services for families who cannot pay. Ask directly.
Nonprofits often have limited funding and work on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact them as soon as possible.
Income Limits and Financial Eligibility Overview
Most funeral assistance programs tie eligibility to the deceased's financial situation rather than the family's income. A rough guide:
| Program | Income or Asset Limit |
|---|
| VA Burial Benefits | No income limit (based on veteran status and circumstances) |
| Social Security Death Payment | No income limit (based on work history and relationship) |
| FEMA COVID Assistance | No income limit (based on COVID death and expenses) |
| State/County Burial Assistance | Typically deceased had under $1,000 in assets; family income near or below 100% FPL |
| Indiana FSSA Burial Assistance | Medicaid eligibility required (approximately 138% FPL for adults) |
In 2025, 100% of the Federal Poverty Level is approximately $15,650 for a single person and $32,150 for a family of four. Many state programs use 100% to 200% FPL as the cutoff.
What to Do First
If you are facing an immediate funeral cost and are not sure where to start, follow these steps:
- Determine if the deceased was a veteran. If yes, contact the VA at 1-800-827-1000 immediately.
- Check if COVID-19 was listed on the death certificate. If yes, call FEMA at 1-844-684-6333.
- Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to claim the $255 death payment.
- Contact your county Department of Human Services to ask about local burial assistance.
- Ask the funeral home about payment plans, hardship rates, or direct billing to assistance programs.
Many families access multiple programs at the same time. FEMA assistance does not disqualify you from VA benefits, and state programs may cover costs that federal programs do not.
Use the free eligibility screener at benefitsusa.org/screener to check what other programs you or your household may qualify for based on income and situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to get help paying for a funeral?
The fastest federal option is the Social Security $255 death payment, which can be initiated with a single phone call. For larger amounts, FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance can move quickly if documentation is ready. State and county programs vary, but many can provide guidance and referrals within a day or two of contact.
Can I get burial assistance if the death was not COVID-related?
Yes. VA benefits, Social Security death payment, and state or county burial assistance programs all apply regardless of the cause of death. FEMA assistance is the only major program specifically tied to COVID-19.
Does Medicaid pay for funerals?
Most state Medicaid programs do not cover funeral or burial costs. A small number of states, including Indiana, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, offer burial or cremation assistance through Medicaid or adjacent programs. Check with your state Medicaid office directly.
Is there a time limit to apply for these programs?
Yes. Social Security requires application within two years of the death. VA burial benefits also require application within two years of burial. FEMA COVID-19 assistance has no current deadline but rules can change. State programs typically require applications within 30 to 90 days of the death.
What documents do I need to apply for funeral assistance?
Nearly all programs require the official death certificate. Beyond that, most ask for a copy of funeral home contracts or receipts, proof of your relationship to the deceased, and your personal identification. VA applications also need the veteran's DD-214 discharge papers. FEMA requires documentation of all funeral expenses.
What if the family has no money and cannot pay for any funeral costs upfront?
Contact your county Department of Human Services first. In most counties, if a family truly cannot afford burial costs and the deceased had no assets, the county is legally required to provide a basic burial. The resulting burial is typically simple, but no family should be left without options. Ask the county explicitly about "indigent burial" services.
Can a nonprofit really help with funeral costs?
Yes, though funding is limited. Nonprofits like Children's Burial Assistance focus on specific situations such as child deaths. Local community foundations, churches, and service organizations sometimes have emergency funeral funds. Calling 211 connects you with a specialist who knows what local resources are currently available.
