The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, the mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID- 19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020.

Examples of eligible expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation may include, but not limited to: transportation for up to two people to identify the deceased individual, the transfer of remains, a casket or urn, a burial plot or cremation niche and a marker or headstone.

To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet the following 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 to or caused by COVID-19. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien.

There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien.

Call FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline at 1-844-684-6333 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday to begin the application process. You can also visit online for more frequently asked questions at FEMA.gov/funeral-assistance/faq.