Funeral Grants for Low Income Families: Where Real Help Comes From and How to Cut the Cost

Where funeral grants for low income families come from

The table below shows the main sources and what each one usually covers. Amounts vary, so check with each program before you count on the money.

VA burial benefits for veterans

If the person who died was a veteran who was not dishonorably discharged, start here. The VA is often the largest source of help.

Free burial in a national cemetery

The VA National Cemetery Administration provides a gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a liner, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate at no cost. Eligible spouses and some dependents can also be buried there. The family still pays the funeral home for things like transport, embalming, or a casket.

Burial and plot allowances

The VA burial allowance pays back part of the cost to whoever paid for the burial and was not repaid by another source. Amounts change every October 1.

For a non-service-connected death, the veteran must also meet one of the VA’s conditions, such as dying while getting VA care, while receiving VA pension or compensation, or with a qualifying claim pending. The VA also pays benefits for cremation and for donating the body to a medical school. Our burial assistance program guide covers deadlines and how to file.

The Social Security death payment

Social Security pays a one-time lump sum of $255 when a worker with enough work credits dies. It goes to a surviving spouse who lived with the person, or to a spouse or child who can get survivor benefits. You generally must apply within two years, by phone at 1-800-772-1213 or at a local office. The bigger value is often monthly survivor benefits for a widow, widower, or children, so ask about those on the same call.

County and state burial assistance

Many counties, and some states, pay for a simple burial or cremation when the person died with little money and the family cannot pay. These programs go by names like indigent burial, public assistance burial, or county cremation. The rules vary a lot:

• Some only help if the person was on Medicaid, SSI, or general assistance.
• Others look at the income and savings of the person responsible for the funeral.
• Payment is usually a fixed, modest amount sent straight to the funeral home.
• Many require you to apply before any contract is signed or services are held.

Ask the county social services office, the coroner or medical examiner, or the funeral director, who usually knows the local program well. Some families also find money the person left behind, such as life insurance or unclaimed property, which can help with costs; our unclaimed money guide explains how to search.

Crime victim compensation for funeral costs

Every state runs a crime victim compensation program. When a death results from a crime, such as a homicide or a drunk-driving crash, these programs can pay funeral and burial costs, counseling for family members, and lost support, up to a limit set by each state. The crime usually must be reported to police, and there are filing deadlines. Find your state program through the National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, or ask a victim advocate at the police department or prosecutor’s office to help you apply.

FEMA funeral assistance after disasters

FEMA can help pay funeral costs when a death is caused directly or indirectly by a federally declared disaster and funeral assistance is approved for that disaster. It covers costs not paid by insurance or other sources, up to a limit. FEMA’s funeral and burial guide lists the papers you need, such as the death certificate and funeral receipts. Learn more about FEMA individual assistance.

The separate COVID-19 funeral assistance program stopped taking applications on September 30, 2025. Be wary of anyone who says they can still get you that money for a fee.

Help when a child dies

Losing a child is a grief no family should face with a funeral bill on top. A few national nonprofits focus on this. Children’s Burial Assistance says it helps families afford burial or cremation for a child, and The TEARS Foundation offers support and financial help after the loss of a baby or child. Funds are limited and rules vary, so contact them directly. Many funeral homes and cemeteries also reduce or waive charges for infants; ask openly. Hospital chaplains and social workers often know local groups that help.

Churches, charities, and community help

• Your faith community: many churches help members with costs, a free service, or a meal after.
• 211: 211 keeps lists of local funeral funds and charities.
• Unions, employers, and fraternal groups: some pay a death benefit to members’ families.
• Crowdfunding and memorial funds: friends can collect money; pay the funeral home directly when you can.

Your rights under the FTC Funeral Rule

The federal Funeral Rule protects every family, whatever their income. Funeral homes must:

• Give you prices over the phone and an itemized general price list in person.
• Let you choose only the goods and services you want, with a few exceptions.
• Accept a casket or urn you buy somewhere else, without an extra fee.
• Tell you that embalming is not required by law in most cases, and offer direct cremation and immediate burial.

The FTC’s guide to shopping for funeral services explains how to compare. Calling three funeral homes for prices can save a lot.

Lower-cost choices that still honor a loved one

A memorial can be just as meaningful when held later, at a place that mattered to the person.

Planning ahead on a low income

If you or a family member gets SSI, Social Security lets you set aside burial funds of up to $1,500 that are not counted as a resource, and burial spaces like a plot or urn are not counted at all, under federal SSI rules. Medicaid rules on prepaid funeral plans vary by state. Veterans can apply for pre-need eligibility for a national cemetery now, so the family does not have to prove it later. Writing down your wishes, such as cremation and a simple service, also helps family avoid overspending.

What to do first, step by step

1. Do not sign a funeral contract yet if you may need county help.
2. Ask whether the person was a veteran and look for a DD-214.
3. Call the county social services office about burial aid.
4. Call Social Security about the $255 payment and survivor benefits.
5. Ask about crime victim compensation or FEMA if the death was caused by a crime or disaster.
6. Get prices from at least three funeral homes and ask about direct cremation.
7. Dial 211 for local charities and church help.

For a deeper look at county programs and the funeral process, see our guide to funeral assistance for low-income families.

Related guides

• Indiana burial assistance program
• Emergency cash assistance
• Government financial assistance
• Financial assistance directory

Frequently asked questions

This guide is general information. Burial aid rules vary by county and state, and VA amounts change each October 1. National Relief Program is an independent website and is not a government agency or funeral provider.