When someone close to us dies, life can feel as if it’s frozen in place. In reality, the opposite is true — after a death there’s a surge of tasks to manage, from filing a mountain of documents to arranging a funeral service. All of this unfolds while you’re navigating overwhelming sorrow.
The challenge grows if the death was sudden, or when it was expected but you lack the funds for a suitable memorial and burial. With funeral costs ranging from roughly $6,500 to more than $10,000 and most funeral homes asking for full payment up front, the financial strain is very real.
You don’t have to forgo honoring the life of your loved one, though. Even without immediate funds, there are programs and resources that can help cover funeral and burial expenses. Below are six avenues that may help you secure the money needed to properly commemorate your loved one.
How to Fund a Funeral
File Life Insurance Claims Right Away
If the person who passed had life insurance, those proceeds can often be used to pay funeral costs. Claim processing times differ widely by insurer. Some companies complete payout within days, while others may take up to eight weeks or longer.
Do everything possible to accelerate the process. As soon as you have the death certificate, contact the insurer and request the claims paperwork. Grief makes this painful, but prioritizing this task can get you access to funds more quickly.
Ask how long claims typically take to be paid. If life insurance is your only likely source of payment, the timeframe may influence decisions about burial arrangements. For instance, if the company usually takes a month to pay, you might choose cremation rather than a traditional burial — depending on religious or personal beliefs.
FEMA May Cover Up to $9,000 for COVID-Related Funerals
The national COVID emergency officially ended in May 2023, and most emergency-era programs have since been discontinued. One important exception is FEMA’s funeral assistance for COVID-19 deaths, which remains available through September 30, 2025.
If the official cause of death was COVID-19, FEMA can provide up to $9,000 to defray funeral and burial costs. If a loved one is hospitalized, it’s worth discussing the cause of death with the attending physician ahead of time — how they list contributing or underlying causes on the death certificate can determine whether you qualify for FEMA assistance.
FEMA funds may be used for the following items:
- Funeral and memorial services
- Interment costs
- Cremation expenses
- Markers or headstones
- Caskets or urns
- Burial plots
- Transport for up to two people to identify the deceased
- Costs to obtain the death certificate
- Transfer of remains
- Local or state government burial/funeral fees
- Clergy fees
- Funeral home charges
State Aid May Cover Burial If the Deceased Received Public Assistance
In many states, burial or cremation costs can be covered by state programs if the deceased was receiving government benefits. For instance, in Pennsylvania, families may be eligible for such help if the person who died was getting Social Security or cash assistance at the time of death. Sometimes funding is available even if the deceased wasn’t actively getting cash aid but would have qualified.
To determine eligibility, contact your local welfare or social services office. The assistance you receive can vary depending on staff and local policies. Another option is to reach out to nonprofits that advocate for welfare recipients. You can locate such groups by calling 2-1-1 or contacting your local United Way.
Note that these programs, where they exist, commonly cover burial and cremation itself but may not pay for extra funeral-related expenses.
Victim Compensation May Reimburse Funeral Costs After a Crime
If the death resulted from a crime, victim compensation programs in many states can help cover funeral expenses. However, accessing these funds often involves a lengthy application and review process that can take months. Because most funeral homes require payment at the time of service, this option is mainly feasible if you can pay up front and expect to be reimbursed later.
Veterans May Qualify for Free Graveside Burial and Headstones
Honorably discharged veterans may be eligible for free burial and a headstone at a national cemetery. In some cases, eligible spouses and dependent children may also receive benefits. Veterans may also be entitled to military funeral honors. Keep in mind that if you want a viewing or services beyond what the national cemetery provides, those costs typically fall to the family unless covered by another program.
If the veteran preferred burial with family or in a private cemetery, they may qualify for a veterans burial allowance, which can reimburse plot and funeral expenses. Most families apply for reimbursement rather than receiving payment in advance.
Seek Help From Religious Organizations and Charities
Some clergy and houses of worship charge for funeral services, but many will provide either free or subsidized ceremonies. If the deceased did not regularly attend a particular congregation, it can be acceptable to inquire with different faith communities about performing services.
If your loved one belonged to a house of worship, you may feel obliged to use that community’s services even if fees are steep. Don’t hesitate to ask the congregation for assistance; if they knew the person who died, the community will often step in to help fund a fitting ceremony.
It’s okay to request aid that covers funeral home expenses as well. Be mindful that some religions prohibit cremation, so while cremation is often less expensive, it may not align with the deceased’s beliefs and rites.
In times of grief, we can feel isolated, but reaching out to people who shared your loved one’s faith is a practical way to find both emotional and financial support to honor their memory.
Pittsburgh-based writer Lena Morales is the founder of the Femme Frugality blog and the author of “The Feminist Financial Handbook.” She is a regular contributor to Savinly. Savinly staff also helped with this article.
