Funeral and burial cost assistance programs

Help with funeral and burial costs.

Community Resources and Referrals

Financial assistance is available to help pay for some or all of the funeral, cremation or burial costs of a loved one. Or learn about free cremations for the low income or uninsured from states or even the United Way. The resources from charities and the government focus on low income families, families that lack insurance or working poor as well as senior citizens who live on a limited income.

It is possible to get help paying for a funeral or even a free memorial service or burial at a cemetery. Find how to get burial help near you for the uninsured, free caskets or money to pay funeral expenses or cremation assistance programs .

Some states help with funeral or burial costs. Also, the counties listed below may offer direct financial aid, arrange free cremation services for the poor or indigent and assist with the various expenses that may be incurred from a funeral. The government may provide other help as well, including free caskets.

Most of the assistance, whether burials or cremations, is for low income families, poor or uninsured, and they can help bury children, parents, or people of any age. Or charities or the government may pay for cremation costs or transportation if the death was out of state. Loved ones can also look into services offered by the Funeral Consumers Alliance, which can provide advice and help a family provide an affordable as well as dignified service for their loved ones.

Non-profit advice and referrals to funerals assistance programs The: Funeral Consumers Alliance is a nonprofit organization that provides families with resources and educational materials on funeral choices as well as memorial services.

The organization covers all aspects of burying a loved one, whether it is a parent or child. A major focus is on giving support to low income families as well as the uninsured. The agency can counsel people on finding affordable funeral options that may be available to them. In addition to that, the programs administered may help people work out a service that meets their budget and that also fits their personal as well as overall financial situation.

However, a family’s own budget is the determining factor in what someone can afford to pay for a funeral or burial. An assessment of their assets will also normally be done, ranging from life insurance policies to investments and savings. The non-profit will help clients understand the process and future expenses.

In general, Funeral Consumers Alliance does not know of charitable programs to direct people to except in very exceptional cases. The agency does provide information on how to go about shopping and saving money. There is advice on everything from paying for items and services such as caskets, cemeteries, urns, funeral homes, or monuments.

Or some clients may learn about how to get help in the form of free services, whether it is a funeral service, casket, or burial plot. They do their best to help protect a consumer's right to choose an affordable, meaningful, and dignified funeral and burial.

But the alliance mostly focuses on saving money and not financial aid. Services offered can easily save families more than $10,000 on their burial and funeral costs. This financial aid can help reduce a lot of heartache that may arise for the family from overwhelming bills during a tremendously stressful time.

Any low to moderate income family burying a loved one may benefit from their assistance. A sampling of the services offered are below. Funeral Consumers Alliance works with a number of other national organizations, including charities, as well. If you need help, guidance, or advice, consider contacting the Alliance for information.

The staff will direct the client to the most effective resource for their needs. They partner with funeral homes, churches, and others in the industry to ensure families have both choices and control over the budget. This will give low to moderate income families different choices when it comes to funeral options and paying for memorial service.

They want to offer a number of solutions that are affordable and that meet a family’s budget. The non-profit gives free guidance and advice on local memorial and funeral homes as well as planning societies. Provide newsletters and pamphlets on funeral choices to increase public awareness of options.

These can include pamphlets on how to care for your own dead without using a funeral home. Refers individuals to regulatory agencies as well as local funeral planning societies. Stay informed with and monitors funeral industry practices, the various trends and exposes abuses or outrageous fees. Over 100 other organizations and affiliates across the United States partner with Funeral Consumers Alliance.

Many of these non-profit affiliates do a price survey of area mortuaries and funeral homes. They try to understand what are affordable options and what aren’t. Most of the local affiliates also negotiate price discounts at participating funeral homes, which in effect means that they sort of formed a cooperative buyers' club.

This allows the client to save even more money on their bills. Some of the non-profits as well as charities affiliated with Funeral Memorial Society of America provide education. In general it is a good bet that by supporting and joining a local FCA organization that you will be able to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars on unnecessary funeral and burial costs.

Savings may also be negotiated on caskets, cremation costs and other services. An updated list of local organizations, that may be near you and that are part of the Funeral Consumers Alliance is at funerals.org .. State, county, and charity help with funeral or burials or free cremations.

A limited number of states offer financial assistance for people who can’t afford to pay for cremation, burial or funeral costs. There may be grants given out, or the government may help coordinate low cost loans for those who need to borrow money.

Additional low income cremation or burial programs may be offered at the county or local government level to qualified low income or indigent residents. They also help children of the deceased if they can’t afford to pay for the service.

Below are some resources and programs by state in what can be provided. You may want to call your local social service or local Department of Human Services for more information as well details. In addition to these financial aid programs for funerals, the social security administration may also provide some limited financial assistance as well.

Or if you do not qualify for financial assistance , find some practical ways to save money on funeral and burials costs Social Security Administration – Individuals who are currently receiving Social Security payments from the federal government are entitled to a lump sum death benefit of $255.

This financial assistance is only paid out if there is a surviving child or spouse, and the child needs to be 18 years of age or younger. Most beneficiaries also need to be uninsured. Alabama – According to Alabama law, each county needs to pay necessary burial expenses and funeral costs of someone who has died in the county and if they don’t have financial means.

Financial assistance also needs to be provided to those family members living in the county who also do not have the financial means to pay their bills. Alaska – Assistance is only offered for tribal members. Arizona - Limited burial/cremation expenses may be paid for. Call your local county office.

Arkansas – Each County Judge offers a Paupers fund to the indigent and low income. This fund is payable to the funeral home for individuals that have no insurance or cash to pay for a funeral. All other options need to be used up before the county may assist, and the family needs to have very limited assets to their name.

Also, the funds may vary by county in the amount they can offer. California – No statewide assistance is offered. Call your local coroner's office for advice. You should call the county before contacting a funeral home. Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) offers Burial Assistance. The program can provide financial assistance to help pay for burial, funeral, and/or cremation costs.

The amount offered will vary based on whether someone receives help from SSI or Medicaid, but CDHS may pay up to $2500 to the family. Connecticut Department of Social Services – This government agency will pay up to $1800, less any assets that are in the deceased’s estate, toward cremation or burial expenses.

Delaware – May contribute up to $400 for pauper burial in one of three county cemeteries. Florida Health and Human Services is mandated by state law to provide proper burial arrangements for residents who are poverty-stricken and whose bodies are unclaimed. Georgia – No statewide program.

Hawaii – The state will provide up to $400 toward funeral home or crematory expenses. The government may also offer other support as an additional $400 can be paid out for cemetery expenses. Idaho – Funeral assistance varies by county.

For example, Twin Falls may offer up to $895 for Basic Service and $695 for cremation $695. Illinois Department of Human Services operates the Funeral and Burial Unit at (217) 524-5294. This government run department pays the funeral and burial expenses of a person with limited income as well as assets.

Limits include up to $1,103 for funeral costs and/or $552 for burial costs. But the family needs to apply as well. The amount of money spent, including family contribution and state assistance, may n