COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 provides FEMA $2 billion to reimburse individuals and households for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred between Jan. 20 and Dec. 31, 2020.
We are working with stakeholder groups to get their input on ways we can best provide this assistance, and to enlist their help with outreach to families and communities. In April, FEMA will implement a funeral assistance program for this assistance.
Additional guidance is being finalized and will be released to potential applicants and community partners as soon as possible. In the meantime, people who have COVID-19 funeral expenses are encouraged to keep and gather documentation.
We are working to set up a dedicated toll-free phone number that can be used to apply for funeral assistance. More information will be available on this page soon.

Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:
 The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
 The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed directly or indirectly to COVID-19.

How to Apply
In April, FEMA will begin accepting applications. If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, we 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 decedent’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses were incurred.
 Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. Funeral Assistance may not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance or financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government programs or agencies, or other sources.

How Funds are Received
If you are eligible for funeral assistance, you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you chose when you applied for assistance.

Columbia County Office of the Aging