FEMA will reimburse expenses for funerals

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced that it will start reimbursing families for COVID-19-related funerals next month.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020,” the agency said on its website.

FEMA said it is working to determine the best way to provide the reimbursements that will start in April.

Families who have had COVID-19-related funeral expenses should keep any documentation they have including a death certificate that says the death was attributed to COVID-19.

To be eligible, FEMA said the death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia. The person applying must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020.

The deceased does not have to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien.

Also required will be funeral expense documents such as receipts and a funeral home contract “that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses and the dates the funeral expenses happened.”

Applicants also must document money received from other sources such as burial or funeral insurance or financial assistance received from “voluntary agencies, government agencies or other sources.”

FEMA said it is working to provide toll-free telephone numbers to call to apply.