How to Get Help with Funeral Expenses

Alabama law requires counties to provide a basic funeral for unclaimed bodies or for those who cannot afford funeral costs. 

Notably, eligibility and procedures vary by county and you must contact the county where your loved one died. In most cases, the body will be cremated because it’s cheaper. 

If you have religious objections to this, it may be possible to receive a burial instead. There are other rules and qualifications, but you’ll need to contact your local county for details.

Alaska’s General Relief Assistance helps residents in urgent need cover basic costs such as shelter, utilities, food, clothing, and burial expenses. 

Families can receive up to $1,250 for funeral and burial costs, usually paid directly to the funeral provider.

To qualify, applicants must show an immediate need, have no other resources, and be Alaska residents. Applications can be submitted by drop-off, email, fax, or mail to the local Division of Public Assistance office.

In Arizona, help with funeral or burial costs is handled by each county rather than at the state level. This means the availability of financial assistance, how much you can receive, and who qualifies can vary depending on where you live.

For example, Maricopa County has the County Indigent Decedent Services (CIDS) Program, which can cover burial or cremation for those who are low-income or related to someone who has passed. 

Eligibility usually depends on your income, your financial situation, and your relationship to the deceased. To apply, you typically contact the Public Fiduciary or Medical Examiner’s Office in your county. Some counties also work with local funeral homes to help guide you through the application process.

Because each county manages its own program, it’s important to check directly with your county’s office to find out what help is available, how to apply, and what documentation you’ll need.

Alternatively, if you’re willing to donate the body to science, the United Tissue Network will provide a cost-free end-of-life option that includes a free cremation. This organization is accredited through The American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and is a nonprofit.

If you need assistance with funeral expenses, contact your county judge. In Arkansas, county judges are able to access a “Pauper’s Fund” for the burials of low income people. This fund is administered at the county level and the amount available can vary by county.

In Colorado, the Burial Assistance Program provides financial assistance to low-income residents who were receiving public assistance or Medicaid at the time of death. The program offers up to $1,500 toward funeral, burial, or cremation expenses, provided the total cost does not exceed $2,500. 

Payments are made directly to the service providers, and the program does not reimburse expenses already paid. Eligibility is based on the deceased’s participation in programs such as Medicaid, Old Age Pension (OAP), Aid to the Needy Disabled (AND), or Colorado Works (CW). 

To apply for assistance, contact your local county department of human or social services. Each county administers the program and may have specific application procedures and deadlines. For example, in Denver, applications must be submitted within 30 days of the date of death. 

It’s advisable to reach out to the appropriate county office promptly to ensure eligibility and timely processing of your application.

The Connecticut Department of Health and Human Services provides up to $1,800 to help pay for funeral and burial costs for low-income individuals, including those on State Supplement, TFA, or SAGA, or those without sufficient assets or family to cover the expenses.

It’s important to note that the Department does not provide reimbursements. Therefore, families must arrange for services and apply for assistance prior to making any payments. The assistance is paid directly to the funeral director, cemetery, or crematory.

To apply for assistance, contact your local office. They can provide guidance on eligibility, required documentation, and the application process.

If you need help with funeral expenses in Delaware, the Division of Social Services can provide assistance for low-income residents who cannot afford a funeral. The program typically covers a direct burial in a state-designated cemetery, including a simple casket, concrete vault, and embalming.

This assistance is arranged before services are provided and does not reimburse families for costs already paid. To apply, contact the Delaware Division of Social Services promptly to ensure eligibility and timely processing.

Florida law requires counties to provide burial or cremation services for unclaimed individuals or those whose families cannot afford funeral costs. Each county manages its own program, so you must apply directly with the county where the deceased lived or passed away.

Services typically include a simple burial or direct cremation, and eligibility depends on income, assets, and the presence of legally responsible relatives. Contact your local county office to learn about requirements, application procedures, and available services.

In Georgia, counties may help cover funeral or burial costs for people who cannot afford them. The program is managed at the county level, so the rules and the amount of assistance can vary. Some counties may provide around $1,000–$1,200, but there is no statewide guarantee.

To apply, contact your local Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office and ask about indigent burial assistance. A staff member will check eligibility and help arrange the funeral or cremation through the county.

Hawaii provides financial help for funeral expenses through the Department of Human Services (DHS). Eligible individuals may receive up to $400 toward funeral costs. This assistance is limited to those who were receiving state financial or medical aid (such as Medicaid/Med-QUEST) at the time of death.

Applications must be submitted before arranging services and within 60 days of the death. Payments are made directly to the funeral home or cemetery. To apply, contact the DHS Med-QUEST Division for guidance and required forms.

Idaho does not provide statewide funeral assistance, but some counties offer help through County Indigent Services. These programs can assist with burial or cremation costs for residents who cannot afford a funeral.

Eligibility and the amount of assistance vary by county. Typically, the deceased must have been a resident of the county and meet financial need criteria. Applications usually must be submitted before services are arranged, and the county may pay the funeral home or crematory directly.

To apply, contact the Indigent Services office in the county where the deceased lived. Each county has its own process, forms, and rules.

The Illinois Department of Human Services can provide financial help for funeral and burial expenses for eligible individuals. To qualify, the deceased must have been receiving or eligible for programs like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

Assistance is capped at $1,370 for a funeral and $686 for burial or cremation, and the funds are paid directly to the funeral home or cemetery. Applications must be submitted through the funeral establishment or cemetery, including all required documentation.

For more information or to start the application process, contact your local IDHS office or visit the IDHS Funeral & Burial Assistance page.

The Burial Assistance Program provides limited help with funeral expenses, typically only for individuals who were eligible for certain Medicaid programs. Claims are usually submitted through the funeral home or cemetery and must be filed within 90 days of death.

In addition, local township trustees may offer extra assistance to low-income or indigent residents. Each township sets its own rules and payment amounts, which can vary. To apply, contact the funeral home, coroner, or local township trustee. The trustee will review eligibility based on residency, financial need, and other resources.

Assistance is not guaranteed, and funds are limited, so it’s important to reach out promptly for guidance.

Waypoint has a Survivors Program that supports people who have lost loved ones to homicide or vehicular homicide. They provide many forms of assistance, including support groups, death notifications, assistance with funeral arrangements and assistance with finding financial assistance for victims or family members, such as food gift cards, gas cards and hotel expenses. They will even act as a media liaison and support through trials.

Some Kentucky counties offer help with funeral expenses. However, this program varies widely between counties. You’ll need to contact your local county coroner or funeral director for more information about these programs.

In Louisiana, there is help available for people who can’t afford funeral costs, but it usually comes from local sources rather than a single state program. Each parish (like a county) can provide assistance if the person who died didn’t have money, insurance, or family who could pay. The amount and process vary by parish, so the best first step is to contact your local parish office or the coroner’s office to ask what help is available.

To get help, you’ll usually need to show proof that you can’t afford the funeral, that the deceased didn’t have money or insurance, and that they lived in the parish.

General Assistance from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services can help with rent, mortgage payments, fuel, utilities, medical, dental, prescriptions, burial costs and household or personal supplies (such as toiletries). You may be eligible for this assistance fund if you are unable to afford your own basic needs. You will need to apply in person at your local municipal office.

The Burial Assistance Program by the Maryland Department of Human Services can provide some help with funeral expenses. This program is limited to low income people who cannot afford funeral costs. The money is paid directly to the funeral director.

In order to be eligible for this assistance, the person who died must have been receiving benefits OR met the eligibility requirements to receive benefits from one of these programs:

• Foster Care
• Public Assistance to Adults (PAA)
• Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
• Temporary Disability Assistance Program (TDAP)
• Medical Assistance (MA)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Newborn children who were not receiving TCA may also be eligible.

The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) can provide up to $1,100 in financial assistance to help cover funeral and burial expenses for eligible Massachusetts residents who have died. This program has specific rules and requirements, so it’s important to review all guidelines before applying. Assistance is intended for individuals who cannot afford funeral costs, and the application typically involves submitting documentation such as the death certificate, funeral and burial bills, and information about any life insurance or other benefits.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) offers a Burial Services program to help low-income families cover funeral and burial costs. Payments, which go directly to the funeral director, cemetery, or crematory, typically include $165 for an infant under one month, $520 for a burial with a memorial service, $145 for cemetery or crematory fees, and $100 for a vault. Applicants must meet income requirements, and the deceased must have been a Michigan resident. Applications must be submitted within 10 business days of the burial or cremation with the death certificate and funeral bills.

Minnesota has some county-level programs that can help with funeral and burial expenses, but these programs vary widely depending on where you live. Eligibility, application requirements, and funding limits differ by county, so it’s important to contact your local county human services or public health office to learn about the specific assistance available in your area. Payments are generally made directly to the funeral director or service provider.

Nebraska law requires every county to operate a General Assistance fund to help people who cannot afford critical expenses. These funds may also be able to assist with cremation or burial costs. For more information, you can visit the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website.

Many towns and cities in New Hampshire offer financial assistance for burial or cremation costs. This aid is generally available to low income individuals. The family must apply for this assistance through the local welfare office, which will assess the situation to ensure all other financial options have been exhausted. Note: The availability and amount of funeral assistance can vary by municipality.

In New Jersey, the state provides funeral and burial assistance (a maximum of $2,246 for funeral expenses and $524 for cemetery or crematory costs) for eligible low-income individuals through the Department of Human Services. To qualify for public assistance funeral funds, the deceased must have been a recipient of certain programs like Medicaid or General Assistance (GA). 

Remember, each county in New Jersey administers these funds through its own board of social services. To find contact information for your county, visit the New Jersey Department of Human Services County Directory.

According to state law, New Mexico may provide up to $200 in help with funeral expenses for low income people. In order to be eligible, the legally responsible relatives (usually a spouse, or parents of deceased minor children) must meet certain income requirements.

If you have a child with cancer, the Helping Hands Program can offer support for many things including funeral assistance in this state.

New York State does not have a centralized, statewide funeral assistance program. Instead, financial support is provided at the county or city level. Each locality administers its own program, with varying eligibility criteria and benefit amounts. For instance, Monroe County offers funeral assistance grants up to $1,250 for decedents aged six years or older, provided total funeral expenses do not exceed $6,000. You can find a brochure for NYC’s funeral assistance on their website.

North Dakota counties offer a General Assistance Program (GAP) that provides emergency support for low-income residents. This program can help cover critical needs, including funeral and burial expenses, for individuals who cannot afford them. Assistance is administered through local Human Service Zone offices, and eligibility is based on the decedent’s and their responsible relatives’ income and assets. To apply, contact your county or Human Service Zone office for guidance on the application process and required documentation.

In Ohio, state law requires counties and municipalities to provide basic funeral assistance for individuals who die with low income and have no one able to cover the expenses. This assistance is managed locally, and eligibility usually requires that the deceased had an income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. The specific requirements and types of assistance vary by county or city, so applicants should contact their local government office to apply and confirm what is covered.

While Oklahoma doesn’t have a single statewide program, many counties step in to help. For example, Oklahoma County has a program for low-income families or unclaimed bodies. Usually, the funeral home or coroner’s office will guide you on how to apply.

If the person who passed away is a member of a Native American tribe, there are often burial assistance programs available.

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services may provide help with funeral or cremation expenses for eligible low-income individuals. Payments are made directly to the funeral director.

To be eligible, the person who died must have received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), received cash benefits from the Department of Human Services prior to death, or been eligible for cash assistance before death.

To apply, you must contact your local County Assistance Office (CAO). The funeral director must be registered with DHS to receive the payment. The maximum payment is $750, though it may be reduced if the deceased had other resources or contributions toward funeral costs.

Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health offers a Burial Assistance Program for low-income families. This program helps cover basic burial costs, including simple grave markers or headstones, for Philadelphia residents in need. Families must demonstrate financial need to be eligible and can contact the Department of Public Health directly to apply.

The Rhode Island Department of Human Services may provide up to $900 in financial assistance to help cover funeral expenses through its General Public Assistance (GPA) program. To qualify, the person who has died must meet income eligibility guidelines, and the application for assistance must be submitted before the funeral takes place. Payments are made directly to the funeral home, and the amount may be adjusted based on any contributions from family, friends, or other sources. Additional burial costs, such as cemetery fees or grave opening/closing, may be considered with prior approval from DHS.

Each county in South Dakota has a Welfare Office that can provide emergency assistance for residents in need, including funeral expenses. This support is intended as a last-resort resource. In some cases, the county may place a legal claim on your property—called a lien—to ensure the money is repaid. This doesn’t mean your property will be taken immediately, but the county can recover funds from it in the future if necessary.

Vermont offers an Emergency and General Assistance fund that can help with funeral expenses, as well as housing, fuel, utilities, medical, dental, prescriptions, personal needs and other incidentals. In order to be eligible, you must be low income and unable to meet your emergency needs.

The funds are managed through local district offices. Find the district office in your area.

The West Virginia Department of Health & Human Services has a Burial Assistance program that can provide up to $1,000 in help with funeral expenses to eligible low-income children and adults. Please contact the agency or your local funeral director for details.

The Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aids Program provides help with funeral expenses that the deceased person’s family cannot afford. The program can pay up to $1,500 for funeral expenses and/or $1,000 toward unmet cemetery or crematory expenses.

In order to be eligible, the deceased person must have been enrolled in one of the following programs OR eligible for Medicaid at the time of their death.

• BadgerCare Plus
• Wisconsin Works
• Medicaid for Elderly Blind or Disabled (EBD)
• Medicaid Home and Community-Based Waiver
• Family Care
• Tuberculosis-related Medical
• Katie Beckett Medicaid
• Supplemental Security Income

In Wyoming, if someone passes away and their family can’t afford the funeral or cremation, most counties have a program to help cover the costs. Usually, the county can pay up to $1,500 for basic burial or cremation.

The money comes from a small fee added to death certificates, and each county decides how to handle applications. Some counties might not have the full $1,500 available, depending on funds.

There’s also a separate state program through the Department of Family Services that can chip in up to $500, mainly for people who were already receiving other types of financial help before they passed.

So, the actual help you get depends on your county and the situation of the person who passed away. Find your county’s contact information and application process.