Planning a funeral for a loved one is never easy. It’s often difficult to say a final goodbye while managing the financial burdens of funeral and burial costs.
Families who can’t afford to pay funeral expenses may benefit from various federal and state burial assistance programs and other death benefits.
If you need help financing a loved one’s funeral, our comprehensive guide provides all the information you need regarding funeral and cremation costs.
Alabama does not provide funeral or burial assistance at a statewide level. State law decrees that individual counties are responsible for necessary burial or cremation expenses if the decedent’s immediate family members cannot afford to pay the funeral costs (cremation is offered unless the deceased’s religion prohibits it).
Next of kin must apply for indigent burial assistance and eligibility is based on federal poverty guidelines. Property, financial assets, and debts are all reviewed to determine whether the family has no available resources.
In Alabama, a death certificate must be filed within five days. Because the deceased may not be buried or cremated without a death certificate, it’s important to collect the required funeral paperwork as soon as possible.
Where to apply: Alabama County Officials contact information can be found here.
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services-Division of Public Assistance offers General Relief Assistance (GRA) to Alaskans in need of financial assistance for a dignified burial. However, funding is limited and used as a last resort for families with an immediate need (that cannot be met by other agencies or programs).
The U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Affairs also offers a burial assistance program (BIA) to federally-recognized Alaskan Natives. A one-time payment of up to $2,500 is available for funeral/burial expenses and is made directly to the funeral provider. Applicants must provide proof of tribal membership when completing the BIA application.
Where to apply: To receive GRA, Alaskans must fill out an application and deliver/mail it to the closest Public Assistance office.
Arizona does not have state funeral or burial assistance. Families in need must apply at the county level.
Arizona counties which provide help with burial/cremation expenses maintain their own individual service programs with varying levels of assistance to eligible applicants. For example, the Mohave County Public Fiduciary offers $400 for indigent cremation (plus administrative fees of $450) while the Maricopa County Public Fiduciary will pay up to $350 in burial costs, depending on eligibility.
Where to apply: To find out if your Arizona county offers burial assistance, visit the 211Arizona.org resource directory.
Arkansas does not provide state resources for funeral/cremation or burial assistance. Families seeking help with funeral costs for a loved one should check with their local government agencies, charitable organizations, or ask their funeral director for guidance.
Where to apply: To find out whether your Arkansas county offers burial assistance, visit the 211Arkansas.org resource directory. Note: At the time of publication, this directory served Benton, Carroll, Madison, and Washington counties only.
California state law does not provide funeral or burial assistance and the deceased’s family is usually responsible for covering funeral/cremation costs. However, there are some notable exceptions:
Indigent families who do not fall into the above categories should check with their local county agency. Income limits will determine eligibility for funeral or cremation assistance.
Where to apply: Contact information for the California Department of Social Services can be found here.
Colorado does not provide funeral or burial assistance at a statewide level. Families requiring financial help should apply at their local county agency.
The Colorado Department of Human Services county offices offer various benefit assistance programs, which may include funeral assistance for eligible applicants. For example, in Douglas County, families may be able to receive up to $2,500 to pay for cremation, funeral, and burial costs.
The Colorado State Patrol Victim’s Assistance Unit also offers assistance with funeral arrangements and expenses for people who are victims of criminal behavior on Colorado’s highways (e.g. careless driving, hit and runs).
Connecticut law states that if a person dies in Connecticut without enough assets in their personal estate to cover funeral and burial costs, the Department of Social Services (DSS) is required to provide payment towards funeral/cremation expenses. DSS is also required to provide burial assistance to those receiving certain state benefit programs (e.g., State Supplement Program, Temporary Family Assistance).
At the time of publication, the maximum amount of funeral assistance payment from Connecticut DSS was $1,800. This amount, however, must be reduced by funds from other applicable sources such as life insurance and/or contributions from family and friends. DSS makes the payment directly to the funeral or cremation provider.
Where to apply: Find the burial assistance application on the Connecticut Department of Social Services website.
DC Department of Human Services provides a Burial Assistance Program to eligible residents of the District of Columbia. A maximum amount of $1,000 is offered for burial costs, and up to $650 is provided for cremation expenses. If the deceased requires an oversized casket, total burial costs cannot exceed $3,000.
Individuals are eligible to receive burial assistance from the DC Burial Assistance Program as long as the deceased did not have funds available of more than $1,000 on the date of death. In addition, to make arrangements, burial or cremation services must go through funeral homes under contract with the District.
Where to apply: Apply in person at the Economic Security Administration Service Center located at 645 H. Street NE, Washington DC..
Delaware may provide financial assistance to pay the burial expenses of an indigent person. The Delaware Department of Health and Services is responsible for determining the amount of burial assistance, based on the lowest funeral and burial costs which are obtained locally.
However, this amount must be reduced by funds from resources (such as insurance or other benefits). Indigent state burials often consist of a direct funeral without a visitation/viewing.
Florida does not provide funeral or burial assistance at a statewide level. Families in need of financial help to cover funeral or cremation expenses should check with their local county administrators. For example, Escambia County offers a cremation program as a last resort to pay for burial expenses incurred for indigent residents.
Where to apply: Contact your local Florida County Health Department to inquire about burial assistance programs.
The Georgia Department of Human Services-Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is responsible for providing funeral or burial assistance to families of indigent individuals. Indigent burial programs are managed at the county level and services are based on specific eligibility criteria, such as the applicant must not possess any life insurance or have any financial resources.
Funeral/cremation assistance amounts vary per county. For example, in Fulton County, allocated costs of burial cannot exceed $600.
Discover more about planning a funeral in Atlanta, GA, or learn everything you need to know about average cremation costs in Atlanta.
