The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, recently amended the funeral assistance policy to assist with COVID-19 related deaths.
In Colorado, to date, there have been 8,174 deaths due to COVID-19. These numbers change on a regular basis as the pandemic has yet to end.
The assistance applies to deaths that have been determined to be caused by COVID-19 and that happened on or after Jan. 20, 2020. The program does not pay for funeral costs up-front but reimburses the costs after they have been paid.
Anyone, who incurred funeral expenses and is a U.S. citizen is eligible to seek reimbursement through FEMA, according to George Betz, senior emergency management specialist for FEMA. The individuals who incurred the expenses do not need to be related to the deceased individual, he said.
Although the person seeking reimbursement does need to be a U.S. citizen, the deceased person does not. However, their death had to occur in the United States.
Applications for FEMA assistance are only being received by phone, according to Betz. Those seeking assistance can call 844-684-6333 or TTY 800-462-7585, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time.
FEMA will reimburse expenses up to $9,000. The following is a list of expenses eligible for reimbursement:
- Funeral services
- Cremation
- Interment
- 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
- Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates
- Additional expenses mandated by any applicable local or state government laws or ordinances
Items prepaid or covered by funeral expenses are not eligible for reimbursement, however, any remaining costs are.
Currently, there is not a set end date for this program. In Colorado, only 2,152 of the 8,174 funerals have sought out assistance, according to Betz.
To expedite the process, FEMA encourages you to gather and have ready the death certificate which contributes the death to COVID-19, proof of funeral expenses and proof of other funeral assistance received.
