Burial Assistance Program Guide: Help Paying for a Funeral or Cremation

Burial assistance program options at a glance

This table shows the main sources of help and roughly what each pays. Many families combine two or three of them.

The Social Security lump-sum death payment

Social Security pays a one-time $255 when a worker with enough work credits dies. It goes first to a surviving spouse who lived with the person, or to a spouse who was getting or could get survivor benefits. If there is no eligible spouse, it can go to a child who qualifies for survivor benefits. You generally must apply within two years of the death.

You cannot apply for this payment online. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit a local office. In most cases, the funeral home reports the death to Social Security, but you still need to apply for the payment. Survivors may also qualify for monthly benefits, which are explained on the SSA survivors page.

VA burial benefits for Veterans

If the person who died was a Veteran who was not dishonorably discharged, the VA may be the largest source of help. There are two parts.

Free burial in a VA national cemetery

For eligible Veterans, the National Cemetery Administration provides a gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, all at no cost to the family. A spouse or dependent can also be buried there at no cost. Funeral home charges, such as embalming or a casket, are still paid by the family.

Burial and plot allowances

The VA burial allowance repays some of the costs to whoever paid for the burial and was not reimbursed by another source. Amounts depend on the date of death and whether the death was service-connected.

For a service-connected death on or after September 11, 2001, the VA pays up to $2,000 toward burial costs. The non-service-connected allowance requires that the Veteran meet at least one condition, such as dying while getting VA care, while receiving VA pension or compensation, or with a qualifying VA claim pending. The plot allowance is generally available when the Veteran is not buried in a national cemetery.

• Deadline: for a non-service-connected burial allowance, file within two years of the burial. There is no time limit for a service-connected death or for the plot allowance.
• Automatic payment: a surviving spouse listed on the Veteran's VA record may get a set amount automatically, without filing.
• How to apply: online or with VA Form 21P-530EZ.

You can check eligibility before a death through pre-need eligibility, which makes things easier for the family later.

County and state indigent burial programs

Most counties, and some states, have a program to pay for a basic burial or cremation when the person who died and their family cannot pay. These are often called indigent burial, public burial, or county cremation programs. They are run by different offices in different places: the county social services or welfare department, the coroner or medical examiner, or a state human services agency.

What to know before you apply:

• Ask before signing a contract. Many programs will not pay if the family has already signed with a funeral home for a full service.
• Expect an income and asset check for the person who died and sometimes for close relatives.
• Services are basic. Often a simple cremation or burial with no viewing. Some programs let the family add services at their own cost.
• Amounts are not published nationally. They vary widely by county, so ask the local office directly.

Some states run their own programs, often tied to Medicaid or SSI eligibility. See our Indiana burial assistance program guide for one state example. Dial 211 to find the right local office.

FEMA funeral assistance after a disaster

FEMA can help with uninsured funeral and burial costs only when a death is caused directly or indirectly by a federally declared disaster, such as a hurricane, flood, or tornado. It is not available for ordinary deaths. Families need a death certificate or a signed statement from a medical examiner or coroner linking the death to the disaster, plus receipts or estimates.

FEMA's funeral and burial quick reference guide explains which costs count. Eligible costs can include a casket or urn, burial plot, cremation, transportation of remains, and death certificates. Flowers, obituaries, and catering are not covered. FEMA also subtracts any Social Security or VA burial benefits paid for the same cost. The maximum is set for each disaster. Apply through FEMA's Individuals and Households Program while the disaster's application period is open.

Charities, churches, and other local help

When public programs fall short, local help can fill the gap. Options to ask about:

• 211: dial 211 or visit 211.org to find funeral help in your area.
• Churches and faith groups: some help members with costs or provide a free service space.
• Unions, fraternal groups, and employers: some offer death benefits or small grants.
• Crime victim compensation: if the death was the result of a crime, your state program may pay funeral costs.
• Life insurance and employer plans: check old paperwork and ask past employers.

Our guide to funeral grants for low-income families lists more options. Crowdfunding is another route many families use, but be cautious about sharing personal details publicly.

Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule

The federal Funeral Rule protects anyone arranging a funeral. Under it, a funeral home must:

• Give you a written, itemized general price list when you ask in person, and give prices over the phone.
• Let you buy only the goods and services you want, rather than a package, apart from a basic services fee and anything required by law.
• Tell you that embalming is not always required by law.
• Offer an alternative container for direct cremation, instead of requiring a casket.
• Accept a casket or urn you bought elsewhere, without charging an extra fee.

The FTC's guide to shopping for funeral services suggests comparing prices at two or more funeral homes. Report problems to the FTC.

Ways to lower funeral and burial costs

Is whole-body donation an option?

Some people choose to donate their body to a medical school or research program. Many university programs cover transportation and cremation, and return the ashes to the family later, which can lower costs a lot. Each program has its own rules, and some will not accept a body after an autopsy or in certain conditions, so it is best to register in advance. Contact a medical school in your state to ask how its program works. Organ donation is separate and does not usually prevent a funeral.

Planning ahead on a low income

If you are planning for yourself or a parent, a few steps can make things much easier for your family. People on SSI can set aside up to $1,500 in a burial fund, and a burial plot, without it counting against SSI's resource limit, under SSA rules. Prepaid funeral plans can help, but read the contract carefully and ask what happens if the funeral home closes or you move. Tell your family where your papers are, including any VA discharge papers, life insurance, and your wishes.

Scams to watch for after a death

• Callers who claim the person who died owed a debt and that you must pay it now. In most cases, family members are not personally responsible for a relative's debts.
• Websites that charge to "apply" for government burial help. Applying for SSA, VA, FEMA, and county programs is free.
• Fake crowdfunding pages set up by strangers in your loved one's name.
• Identity theft using the person's information. Report the death to SSA and the credit bureaus.

What to do first, step by step

1. Do not sign a funeral contract yet if you plan to ask a county program for help.
2. Check Veteran status and find the person's discharge papers (DD214).
3. Call the county social services office or coroner about indigent burial.
4. Ask two funeral homes for their general price lists.
5. Apply for the VA allowance and SSA's $255 payment after the funeral.
6. Dial 211 for charities and churches that help with costs.
7. Keep every receipt, since the VA and FEMA need them.

If losing a household member has cut your family's income, you may also qualify for food help. See our guide to emergency food stamps.

Related guides

• Funeral grants for low-income families
• Indiana burial assistance program
• Debt forgiveness for Veterans
• How to find unclaimed money

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information. Benefit amounts and local programs change, so confirm details with the agency before you rely on them. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not a government agency or a funeral provider.