The National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, Inc (NFDMA) has partnered with FEMA to provide support for the agency’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Task Force to undertake a historic endeavor: reimbursing eligible funeral expenses to those who incurred them in 2020 as a result of COVID-19. FEMA will begin accepting applications for Funeral Assistance on Monday, April 12, 2021 through their dedicated call center. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial reimbursement for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. The NFDMA, and additional stakeholder groups, will give FEMA their input on the best ways to provide this assistance and help with outreach to families and communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. The NFDMA is dedicated to fulfilling FEMA’s mission to help before, during and after disasters and are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
“African American funeral directors have had a vast involvement with many historical events, and the COVID-19 pandemic has been no exception” said Dr. Hari Close, NFDMA President and Owner of Hari P. Close Funeral Service. “I am honored to worked with FEMA to provide some relief for the thousands of families and community members we have helped through this difficult time.”
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance will reimburse expenses to individuals that paid out of pocket or with life insurance for funeral services and interment or cremation. Potential applicants with any receipts received for expenses that are not related to funeral services will not be determined eligible expenses. Eligible expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation may include but are not limited to transportation, transfer of remains and headstone.
Those needing assistance are asked to call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number at 844.684.6333, TTY: 800.462.7585, starting April 12th 8am – 8 pm CT Monday through Friday. For more information on the assistance program and eligibility please visit https://bit.ly/3utOhwa.