Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Funeral assistance after a presidentially declared disaster
FEMA Disaster Helpline
FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
FEMA Individual Assistance
FEMA Funeral Assistance
Apply within 60 days of the disaster declaration authorizing Individual Assistance (late applications accepted for an additional 60 days with an explanation of the delay); appeals within 60 days of the determination letter; assistance period up to 18 months from the declaration date
The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides funeral assistance to families who lost a loved one due to a presidentially declared disaster. FEMA also provides Individual Assistance for disaster survivors, including housing assistance and other needs. Funeral assistance covers burial, cremation, and related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.
Notifying the FEMA when someone dies
FEMA does not receive general death reports. When a death is caused directly or indirectly by a presidentially declared disaster, the person who paid or is responsible for the funeral expenses can apply for FEMA funeral assistance through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP). The applicant does not need to be a family member — anyone who incurred funeral costs may apply. The deceased person does not need to have been a U.S. citizen.
Timeline: 60 days from the date of the Presidential disaster declaration authorizing Individual Assistance (or, if the applicant's area is added to the declaration later, 60 days from that date). FEMA continues to accept late applications for an additional 60 days after the application period ends; the applicant must explain the reason for the delay by phone, in writing, or in person, but FEMA does not require supporting documentation for that reason
- •The death must have been caused directly or indirectly by the disaster
- •The death must have occurred in a county or area designated for Individual Assistance
- •Check active disaster declarations at DisasterAssistance.gov or fema.gov/disaster/declarations
- •Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov
- •Call 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, 7 days a week)
- •Use the FEMA mobile app
- •Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (find locations at egateway.fema.gov/ESF6/DRCLocator or text DRC plus your ZIP code to 43362)
- •You will receive a 9-digit FEMA registration number — keep this for all future communications
- •Certified copy of the death certificate or a signed statement from a medical examiner, coroner, or cemetery/funeral home representative confirming the death was caused directly or indirectly by the disaster
- •Receipts, invoices, or verifiable cost estimates for funeral and burial expenses
- •Documentation of any other assistance received (insurance, VA burial benefits, Social Security lump sum death payment, donations, crowdfunding) to prevent duplication of benefits
- •Check status online at DisasterAssistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362
- •Respond promptly to any FEMA requests for additional documentation
- •If denied, you have 60 days from the determination letter to file an appeal
Required Documents
- Certified copy of the death certificate (or signed statement from medical examiner, coroner, or funeral home representative)
- Receipts, invoices, or verifiable cost estimates for funeral and burial expenses
- Documentation of other assistance received (insurance proceeds, VA burial benefits, Social Security lump sum death payment, donations, crowdfunding)
- Applicant identity verification (Social Security number and government-issued ID)
- FEMA registration number (provided upon application)
Timeline
Apply within 60 days of the disaster declaration authorizing Individual Assistance (late applications accepted for an additional 60 days with an explanation of the delay); appeals within 60 days of the determination letter; assistance period up to 18 months from the declaration date
Survivor benefits
Funeral Assistance
FEMA provides financial assistance for funeral and burial expenses when a death is caused directly or indirectly by a presidentially declared disaster. Covered expenses include transfer of remains, casket or urn, burial plot or cremation niche, marker or headstone, interment services, funeral ceremonies, clergy fees, death certificates, and reinterment costs if disinterment was caused by the disaster. The maximum amount per death is set annually and subject to the overall Other Needs Assistance (ONA) household cap of $43,600 (for disasters declared on or after October 1, 2024). By law, FEMA cannot provide funding when any other source -- insurance, Social Security, Veterans Affairs benefits, donations, or crowdfunding -- has covered expenses for the same disaster-related need. Not covered: obituary notices, flowers, printed programs, catering, transportation of attendees, or tips and gratuities.
Eligibility: U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who paid or is responsible for disaster-related funeral expenses; the deceased does not need to meet citizenship requirements; the applicant does not need to reside in the declared disaster area
How to apply: Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362, use the FEMA mobile app, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center in person
Learn more →Individual Assistance (Housing and Other Needs)
FEMA Individual Assistance provides housing assistance (rental assistance, home repair, home replacement, up to $43,600 per household for disasters declared on or after October 1, 2024) and Other Needs Assistance (medical, dental, personal property, transportation, childcare, moving and storage, up to $43,600 per household). Serious Needs Assistance provides a one-time upfront flexible payment of $770 per household for immediate needs like food, water, baby formula, and medication without documentation at the time of application. Displacement Assistance provides funding for immediate housing needs when survivors cannot return home.
Eligibility: Individuals and households affected by a presidentially declared disaster in designated areas
How to apply: Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362, use the FEMA mobile app, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center
Learn more →Disaster Distress Helpline
SAMHSA's Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7 crisis counseling and support for people experiencing emotional distress related to disasters, including grief from disaster-related deaths. The helpline is free, multilingual, and confidential.
Eligibility: Anyone experiencing disaster-related emotional distress
How to apply: Call or text 1-800-985-5990; Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL callers can use their preferred relay provider with 1-800-985-5990 or connect to an ASL agent by videophone
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
FEMA provides financial assistance for funeral and burial expenses when a death is caused directly or indirectly by a presidentially declared disaster. Covered expenses include casket or urn, burial plot, marker, interment services, funeral ceremonies, clergy fees, transfer of remains, and up to 5 certified death certificates. The amount is subject to annual limits and the overall ONA household cap.
Any U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who paid or is responsible for disaster-related funeral expenses can apply. The applicant does not need to be a family member. The deceased person does not need to have been a U.S. citizen.
FEMA does not cover obituary notices, flowers or floral arrangements, printed programs or memorial materials, catering or food services, transportation of attendees to services, tips or gratuities, or pre-disaster debt obligations.
Yes, but by law FEMA cannot provide funding when any other source has covered expenses for the same disaster-related need. If insurance, Social Security, VA burial benefits, donations, or crowdfunding (e.g., GoFundMe) cover part of the funeral costs, FEMA can assist only with the remaining unmet expenses. You must document all other assistance received.
You have 60 days from the date of the FEMA determination letter to file an appeal. Appeals should include any additional documentation that supports your claim. Track your application status at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362.
FEMA accepts an official death certificate or a signed statement from a medical examiner, coroner, or cemetery/funeral home representative confirming the death was caused directly or indirectly by the disaster. Deaths do not need to have occurred during the disaster itself — indirect causes such as loss of medical equipment, delayed medical care, or unsafe conditions after the disaster may qualify.
You must apply within 60 calendar days of the Presidential disaster declaration authorizing Individual Assistance (or, if your area is added to the declaration later, within 60 days of that date). FEMA continues to accept late applications for an additional 60 days after the application period ends. To have a late application considered, you must explain the reason for the delay by phone, in writing, or in person, but FEMA does not require supporting documentation for that reason.
No. The FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program is closed and FEMA is no longer accepting new applications. FEMA received more than 609,000 applications, with more than 506,000 approved totaling approximately $3.26 billion. Funeral assistance for other presidentially declared disasters remains available through the standard Individual Assistance program.
Serious Needs Assistance is a one-time upfront payment of $770 per household introduced under the 2024 Individual Assistance reform. It provides immediate flexible funding for essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, medication, and other emergency supplies without requiring documentation at the time of application.
Sources
Data sourced from Federal Emergency Management Agency primary sources (12 pages reviewed). How we research.
FEMA Disaster Helpline
FEMA, P.O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
FEMA Individual Assistance
FEMA Funeral Assistance
Apply within 60 days of the disaster declaration authorizing Individual Assistance (late applications accepted for an additional 60 days with an explanation of the delay); appeals within 60 days of the determination letter; assistance period up to 18 months from the declaration date