COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world and continues to affect millions of families today. If you are paying or have paid the cost of a funeral due to COVID-19 some financial help may be available to you. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be providing COVID-19 Funeral Assistance to eligible recipients until September 30^th, 2025. You may qualify for up to $9,000 per funeral for expenses.

What are the eligibility requirements? 

You must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified non-citizen. The death needs to have occurred in the United States, including U.S. territories and the District of Columbia and the death has been attributed to COVID-19 per the death certificate. The individuals passing must have taken place after January 20, 2020, and the applicant must be responsible for the eligible funeral expenses.

FEMA may cover:

• funeral services
• cremation
• interment
• costs associated with producing death certificates
• costs due to local or state government laws or ordinances
• transportation for up to two people to identify the person who died
• transfers of remains
• casket or urn
• burial plot
• marker or headstone
• clergy
• funeral ceremony
• funeral home equipment or staff

What do you need to do?

You must provide FEMA with a copy of an official death certificate along with a signed funeral contract, invoice, receipts, or other documentation that includes:

• Your name, showing you are responsible for some or all of the expense
• The name of the person who has passed
• Itemized expenses
• Proof that the expenses were incurred on or after January 20, 2020

This application must be made over the phone by calling 844-686-6333. Once the application process is completed and FEMA has received all required documents it will take approximately 45 days to make an eligibility decision. If you are approved funds will be deposited to your bank account or sent by mail in the form of Department of the Treasury check, depending on which option you choose.

Hurley Elder Care Law has convenient locations in Atlanta, Woodstock, Duluth, and Peachtree City. We also offer virtual appointments with our elder law attorneys throughout the state of Georgia. Our attorneys are compassionate, competent, and experienced assisting older adults with a series of complex challenges and decisions around money, care, and access to public benefits. Call us today at 404-843-0121 with your elder law questions. We are happy to help!