Finding Help with Funeral Expenses

For many families, the expense of a funeral and burial often represents a serious financial burden. Each state in the U.S. has programs that provide funeral funds for low income members of the population. Many counties and cities also have funeral fund programs. Unfortunately, there is no single resource for finding out about available funds and some research is required to find eligible programs. The Internet can be a valuable tool for locating financial assistance for funerals. Here are some suggested resources:

• The Social Security Administration provides a one-time death payment of $255 (2010) if a deceased person has a surviving spouse or surviving children under the age of 18.

• For veterans of military service and those still in active service, the Veterans Administration has a variety of burial benefits available. Basic benefits include a gravesite in a national cemetery. There are also some allowances provided for funeral expenses. For example, when death is due to a service-related injury, there is a $2000 allowance (2010).

• Local churches, service organizations and charities often have funeral funds available for those who were active members. If the non-profit organization has a cemetery, it may offer some spaces at low or no cost. For example, Architarium recently manufactured and donated a columbarium for indigent use.

• Memorial societies work with death care providers to create fixed-cost packages.

• Many funeral homes and crematories offer direct burial and direct cremation which provide the minimum level of death care required.

• In many areas, 211 is a resource for health and human resources. Dial 211 and ask for funeral expense assistance or search online for 211 by state.

• Donating the body of a deceased person to science through a program like Science Care will benefit society as well as defraying the cost of a funeral and burial. Cremation is often provided free of charge, with ashes returned to the family.

For additional information about local funeral fund programs, search online for “burial assistance” by state or county.

Catie W.
November 3, 2010