Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
How to get reimbursed for COVID-19 funeral expenses
If your loved one died of COVID-19, you may be able to get the Federal Emergency Management Agency to pay funeral expenses.
The death must have occurred after Jan. 20, 2020, and the death certificate must show COVID-19 as the cause. Eligible families could get $9,000 toward funeral costs and up to $35,500 for other expenses, such as the burial of additional people who died of COVID-19.
“This is going to be helpful to a lot of families,” said Jason Fuller, funeral director at Broward Funeral Choices. “A lot of families haven’t had the money.”
Fuller said his funeral home has seen a 50% increase in deaths during COVID-19. The virus has killed more than 545,000 Americans and 33,000 Floridians.
The money comes from the economic rescue package passed by Congress in December, which included $2 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund. The fund is set to pay 100% of funeral expenses for those who died of COVID-19.
The program is similar to other FEMA reimbursements offered after disasters, such as hurricanes. FEMA pays funeral expenses if the death resulted from the disaster, Fuller said.
Here’s what FEMA will pay for:
▪ Transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual.
▪ Transfer of remains.
▪ Casket or urn.
▪ Burial plot or cremation niche.
▪ Marker or headstone.
▪ Clergy or officiant services.
▪ Arrangement of the funeral ceremony.
▪ Use of funeral home equipment or staff.
▪ Cremation or interment costs.
▪ Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates.
Here’s what you’ll need to show FEMA:
▪ A certificate that shows the death was caused by, “may have been caused by” or “was likely a result of ” COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms.
▪ Proof that the death occurred in the United States or U.S. territories.
▪ Receipts that include the applicant’s name as the person responsible for the expense, the deceased person’s name, and the amount of funeral expenses.
▪ Proof of money received from other sources, such as an insurance company or charity, that covered funeral expenses. FEMA won’t duplicate those benefits.
FEMA will begin accepting applications by phone on April 12. Call 844-6846333. The representatives on the phone will help you complete the application and show you how to download, mail or fax the documents. FEMA is not accepting online applications.