Second in a series
When a loved one passes away, financing what comes next can be an extra burden on top of the loss. The National Funeral Directors Association reports the median cost of an adult funeral in 2021 was $7,848, a cost that does not include cemetery plots, funeral home staffing, or headstones. In the Minnesota region, the median cost of an adult funeral with viewing and ceremony followed by burial is $8,500.
Funeral directors recommend planning ahead for death with a life insurance policy or by pre-paying for burial or cremation costs. People can also designate beneficiaries so their property or funds can be used to cover their funeral.
Related Story: Parting gift: End-of-life planning eases family burdens
For many, however, death is unexpected. Memorial funds are one of the top crowdfunding causes, but there are a few other resources people can turn to for extra help.
Below is a non-comprehensive guide of funeral assistance available. Note that some programs only offer reimbursements, while others require pre-approval of funeral expenses.
Most programs require people to exhaust all other resources—available assets, auto insurance, Medicaid, worker’s compensation, etc.—before receiving assistance.
1. FEMA: COVID-related deaths
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funeral assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020.
The New York Times recently reported that the national government program is underused. “More than 900,000 COVID-related deaths have been reported in the United States, but fewer than half have been the subject of a claim, according to FEMA data,” read a Feb. 11 article.
In Minnesota where the Minnesota Department of Health reports over 11,797 COVID-related deaths as of Feb. 11, less than half have started applications.
To receive assistance, you must apply over the phone with documentation. FEMA estimates it to be a 20-minute process. Multilingual services are available.
Type: Reimbursement of incurred expenses
Amount: Up to $9,000 per deceased individual (max. $35,500 per application)
Eligibility: COVID-related death; applicant is U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
How to apply: Call helpline 844-684-6333
Website: www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
2. County assistance: varying guidelines
Minnesota statute mandates that counties offer residency-based funeral assistance for deceased persons without sufficient means. Counties have varying guidelines for eligibility. Many have income limitations and only cover basic services. Contact your county office for more information.
Summary of programs in the Twin Cities 7-county metro:
Anoka
Type: Pre-approval of expenses (exceptions for faith traditions requiring immediate burial)
Amount: Up to $2,810 for adult traditional burial
Eligibility: Residency; household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline; must apply within 30 days of notification of death
How to apply: Submit completed application via fax, mail or email. Alternatively, schedule an appointment for an in-person interview.
Website: www.anokacounty.us/201/Funeral-Funds
Carver
Type: Pre-approval of expenses
Amount: Up to $3,600 for traditional burial
Eligibility: Residency; household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level
How to apply: Submit completed application to Carver County Health and Human Services
Website: bit.ly/carvercountyburialresources
Dakota
Type: Payments made directly to a funeral home or cemetery
Amount: N/A
Eligibility: Residency; requests for assistance must be received within 60 days from the date of death
How to apply: Call Dakota County Community Services Division, 651-554-5611
Website: bit.ly/Dakotaburialresources
Hennepin
Type: Pre-approval of expenses (exceptions for faith traditions requiring immediate burial and others on case-by-case basis)
Amount: Up to $3,000
Eligibility: Residency; household income 275% of federal poverty level; cost of burial under $4,400; application must be submitted within 14 days of death or notification of death
How to apply: Submit completed application via fax or mail
Website: www.hennepin.us/residents/human-services/burial-assistance
Ramsey
Type: Pre-approval of expenses
Amount: N/A
Eligibility: Residency; application received within 30 days of death or notification of death
How to apply: Call Ramsey County Funeral Assistance, 651-266-3645
Website: N/A
Scott
Type: Pre-approval of expenses
Amount: Up to $4,678 for cremation
Eligibility: Residency
How to apply: Call Scott County Health and Human Services, 952-496-8686
Website: www.scottcountymn.gov/306/County-Burial
Washington
Type: Pre-approval of expenses
Amount: Up to $2,076 for a traditional burial
Eligibility: Residency
How to apply: Call Washington County Community Services, 651-430-6455
Website: www.co.washington.mn.us/469/Community-Services
3. Veteran benefits
U.S. veterans may be eligible for funeral assistance in addition to plots in state or national cemeteries, a headstone or marker, and a U.S. flag.
As every veteran’s situation is unique, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs recommends veterans and their loved ones contact their local County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) to determine what benefits are available to them.
Some counties, like Ramsey County, also own plots reserved exclusively for veterans and their spouses so they can be buried in local cemeteries, if interested.
To inquire about local plots and other benefits, find your CVSO here: www.macvso.org/find-a-cvso.html
Type: Reimbursement
Amount: Burial allowance for a non-service-connected death is $300, and $2,000 for a death connected to military service. Varying burial and plot allowance depending on date of death, whether service-connected death, and whether hospitalized by VA at time of death.
Eligibility: Contact CVSO to determine
How to apply: Apply online or mail an application
Website: www.va.gov/burials-memorials
4. Minnesota Crime Reparations Board: victims of violent crime
Established in 1974, this state program provides financial help to victims and their families “for losses incurred as a result of crime,” according to its website.
In addition to funeral assistance, the program covers expenses like mental health counseling, child care and household services, lost wages, crime scene cleanup, and financial support for dependents of a homicide victim. Reparation claims are allowable for up to $50,000 on behalf of one victim.
Type: Pre-authorize and reimbursement
Amount: Up to $7,500 for funeral and related costs, with an additional $1,000 to purchase a headstone.
Eligibility: Family members, guardians, and/or person who paid funeral expenses for victims of violent crime; crime occurred in Minnesota and was reported to police within 30 days; claim must be filed within three years
How to apply: Apply through an online portal or submit completed application form via mail, fax, or email
Website: bit.ly/dpscrimeresources
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