Indiana Burial Assistance Program - In Indiana, 10,558 families have applied for funeral assistance. Only more than 8000 people from these families have been awarded.
Since then, data shows that FEMA has awarded more than $2.5 billion to nearly 400,000 American individuals and families across the country.
Indiana Burial Assistance Program
"Unfortunately, we've given a lot of money to a lot of people across the country," said Don Shulman, FEMA representative for Region 5, which oversees Indiana.
Million In Covid 19 Funeral Expenses Paid To Indiana Families
Here in Indiana, 10,558 Hoosiers have requested funeral assistance. Only more than 8000 people from these families have been awarded.
"We're really just getting started with this process," Shulman said. "We estimate that we've actually helped less than half of the eligible population."
This is a toll free number available in multiple languages. FEMA hotlines are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
"It's a simple process," Shulman said. "It's going to take some time. While we can't bring back their loved ones, or their friends or family, we can ease the burden of the deaths of the people they've lost."
List Of Charities & Nonprofits That Help With Funeral Costs
FEMA can reimburse multiple people through a single person's claim for a funeral. Generally, one person can apply, but the money is allowed to go to groups of people. That applicant must be a US citizen or legal resident.
The applicant must be able to prove that covid-19 was the cause of death or was related to the cause of death. The deceased does not have to be a US citizen.
After the initial application phone call, applicants create an online profile to upload required documents. These articles can also be sent by post.
Officials encourage all families who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus to apply for financial assistance.
Fema Provides $447m To Help Families Bury Covid Victims
"There is help out there. We tell people that you're not getting funded by someone else by calling and asking for help. This fund is there to help people with these costs," Shulman said.
If you've applied but haven't been helped yet, call Shulman and ask what's holding your application. It could be as simple as a missed phone call, he said. Keck values integrity and transparency. We follow a strict editorial process to provide you with the best possible content. We may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn money on qualified purchases. Learn more in our affiliate disclosure.
The average cost of a funeral in the United States is $11,000. It is an unfortunate fact that many Americans cannot afford this figure. Some people invest in trying to raise funds for funeral expenses.
For more funeral planning tips and a complete list of tasks to attend to after a death, review our checklist.
Some States Offer Assistance To Families Unable To Afford Funeral Costs
Fortunately, there are other resources that can help you if you need financial assistance for a funeral. If you have to pay for a funeral without money, we look at some of the best ways you can explore.
Tip: In addition to helping charities and non-profits, many families choose to raise funds using crowdfunding platforms or online memorial pages with fundraisers. And if you're planning a virtual funeral using a service like GatheringUs, you can use the proceeds to cover those costs.
Many charities and non-profit organizations have stepped in to fill the void to fund funerals. If you need help paying for the funeral, you can contact them directly. Here are some.
Most states offer assistance with funerals. If you live in an area without these resources, there are some national organizations that can help.
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Many adults build a funeral budget into their end-of-life planning. You may fail to estimate funeral expenses for young children because you don't want to think that your children might die.
Children's Burial Aid helps families who are dealing with the unimaginable pain of losing a child. They provide burial plots and donation vaults and cover the costs of burial or cremation.
Final Farewell is another organization that helps parents pay for their children's funerals. They provide financial support and emotional guidance to bereaved families.
The TEARS Foundation pays funeral homes up to $500 directly toward funeral expenses. They are specifically designed to help pay for the funerals of children under one year old. They also cover the cost of fetal autopsy after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Food, Cash, & Transportation Assistance
The Funeral Consumers Alliance does not pay for the full cost of a funeral, but helps people find low-cost burial options.
It works with churches and funeral homes across the country to help offset funeral costs for low-income families.
Before looking for national charities that can help with funeral expenses, you can look for local resources. We can't list all the resources available in every state, but we can help you track down some.
Tip: If you need more help navigating the entire complex loss process, participating in a plan or service, see our Post-Loss Checklist.
Unfinished' Funerals: Veteran Ceremonies Postponed In Pandemic
There are memorial societies in 38 different states. A memorial society is an organization you can join that offers low-cost funeral options. There is usually a nominal fee to join and you will have access to very few funerals.
The funeral consumer association above can help direct you to a reputable memorial society. You can also check to see if your favorite memorial society is a nonprofit.
Nonprofit memorial societies typically have low fees and are not as profit-motivated as the mainstream funeral industry.
Many churches may offer to reduce funeral costs for church members. They are also connected with other local organizations that can pay or cover the cost of the funeral.
Samaritan Affordable Funeral And Cremation Services
In many states, 211 serves as a helpline for information about essential social services. You will be put in touch with the undertaker who can provide information about local organizations that can help with funeral costs.
Private non-profits aren't the only source for helping pay for funerals. There are also state and national programs at the state level that can help reduce or cover funeral expenses.
The federal government may provide funeral assistance in some cases. This assistance is often reserved for veterans, the elderly, or people who have been victims of disasters.
FEMA is able to provide funeral assistance when someone dies during a national disaster (declared by the President). It can be a person who died as a direct result of the disaster or as an indirect result.
Fema's Covid 19 Funeral Assistance Program Surpasses $2.5b
For example, a person drowned in a hurricane is considered a direct victim of a national disaster. A person who dies during a storm due to power outages and is unable to use their oxygen device would be an indirect victim. FEMA funds are usually only available as a last resort, but they cover a casket or urn for burial, a burial plot, and a marker or headstone.
The Social Security Administration offers a one-time death settlement of $255 to the spouse or children of the deceased. Although this is not enough to cover the funeral, it can help offset some of the other expenses.
If the deceased was of retirement age, his or her spouse or children may be eligible for survivor benefits. These benefits can also help with funeral expenses.
The VA offers different levels of funeral assistance based on a variety of factors. Let's say a veteran's death has nothing to do with military service. The VA still provides $780 for burial expenses. VA provides up to $2,000 in funeral assistance if the death is service-connected.
Can't Afford To Bury Loved Ones? Often, States Can't Help
Their husbands can receive additional payments if their spouses are killed in the line of duty. This also includes veterans who die from injuries or illnesses while serving, even if they are not active.
There are other benefits for veterans. Veterans buried in national cemeteries will be tasked with opening and closing VA-covered cemeteries. The VA also provides headstones and burial flags for relatives of veterans.
Federal funeral assistance programs are limited in scope, but there are some state programs that can help.
Just keep in mind that they often don't overlap, and federal aid usually supersedes state aid. Here are some resources for state and local funeral assistance.
Funeral Assistance For Those Who Need It
Medicaid does not pay directly for funeral, cremation, or burial services. However, they allow recipients to set aside some money from their Medicaid payments to save on funeral expenses.
If your loved one has collected Medicaid, it's worth contacting them to see if there is any money available. This all varies by state, so be sure to contact the Medicaid helpline for your state directly for more complete information.
If the family of the deceased cannot afford the cost of a cremation, there may be low-cost or free programs. Call the coroner and explain your financial situation. State or local governments may pay for cremation or cremation
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