Through a COVID-19 Assistance Program, FEMA is offering up to $9,000 in reimbursement for funerals of those that passed away from COVID-19. Qualifications include being a United States Citizen, funeral expenses had to have been paid for after January 20th of 2020, only one person per household can file for reimbursement, and the death certificate must be related to COVID-19. Trevor Davies, Illinois Region 2 District Funeral Director, has more:
“In terms of funeral costs, one of the big things is FEMA is looking for itemized funeral statement. With that they want to see what fees families paid for on basic services of director and staff, transportation costs, casket or urn costs, crematory or cemetery fees, death certificates, those types of things. Also, if you have any cemetery paperwork. The one thing I do want to reiterate is that, although it is unfortunate, but if a family was very diligent and they came in a prepaid their funeral with a funeral home, if they had prepaid burial and funeral insurance, unfortunately those policies do not count for reimbursement. They are allowing reimbursement if you paid for the funeral with a general life insurance policy. Now again, that is subject to review.”
To file for reimbursement, contact FEMA at 844-684-6333.
