Government help paying for a funeral comes from three federal sources, and each has narrow rules. Social Security pays a one-time $255 to an eligible surviving spouse or, if there is none, certain children. The VA pays burial allowances and offers free burial in a national cemetery for many veterans. FEMA pays funeral costs only for deaths caused by a federally declared disaster, and its COVID-19 funeral program has closed.
None of these will cover a whole funeral on its own. Most of them repay costs after the fact, so knowing the amounts before you sign a contract helps you set a budget.
Help paying for a funeral at a glance
| Program | Amount | Who qualifies | Deadline to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security lump-sum death payment | $255, one time | Surviving spouse, or certain children if there is no eligible spouse | Within 2 years of the death |
| VA burial allowance, service-connected death | Up to $2,000 (death on or after Sept. 11, 2001) | Person who paid burial costs for a veteran whose death was service-connected | No time limit |
| VA burial and plot allowances, non-service-connected death | $1,002 burial plus $1,002 plot (death on or after Oct. 1, 2025) | Person who paid, if the veteran met one of VA’s conditions (see below) | Generally within 2 years of burial; exceptions apply |
| VA national cemetery burial | Gravesite, opening and closing, headstone or marker and more, at no cost | Eligible veterans, and eligible spouses and dependents | Arranged at time of need |
| FEMA funeral assistance | Varies | Funeral costs caused by a federally declared disaster | Depends on the disaster declaration |
| FEMA COVID-19 funeral assistance | Was up to $9,000 per funeral | Closed | No longer accepting applications |
Social Security: the $255 lump-sum death payment
The Social Security Administration says “a spouse might get a one-time death benefit payment of $255. If there’s no spouse, some children may be eligible.” The children who may qualify are those age 17 or younger, those 18 to 19 and in school (K-12) full time, or those of any age who developed a disability at age 21 or younger (SSA).
- Spouse living in the same household: eligible first. Federal regulations pay the $255 to a widow or widower who was living with the deceased at the time of death (20 CFR 404.390).
- Spouse living elsewhere: may still qualify if they can get benefits on the deceased person’s record (SSA).
- Deadline: you must apply within 2 years of the death. A spouse who was already receiving spouse’s benefits on the deceased person’s record the month before the death does not need to apply again (20 CFR 404.392).
Apply online through a my Social Security account or by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Tell the representative you want to apply for a lump-sum death payment. The $255 goes to the family member, not the funeral home.
Funeral homes generally report the death to Social Security, so you usually do not need to. If no funeral home is involved, call the same number with the person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth and date of death (SSA). Family members may also qualify for monthly survivor benefits, which are separate from the $255.
VA burial benefits for veterans
Burial allowances (cash reimbursement)
VA burial allowances repay part of the burial and funeral costs to whoever paid them. That can be a spouse, child, parent, executor, other relative, friend, or a funeral home. It applies only if you will not be reimbursed by another organization, such as another government agency or the veteran’s employer (VA).
The veteran must not have received a dishonorable discharge, and one of VA’s listed conditions must apply. For example, the death was service-connected, the veteran died while getting VA care, or the veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death. VA does not pay burial allowances for someone who died on active duty, while serving in Congress, or while serving a federal prison sentence (VA).
Current maximums, according to VA:
- Service-connected death: up to $2,000 if the veteran died on or after September 11, 2001, or up to $1,500 if before.
- Non-service-connected death on or after October 1, 2025: a $1,002 burial allowance and $1,002 for a plot. For deaths from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, the amounts were $978 and $978.
- Non-service-connected death while hospitalized by VA: the same $1,002 and $1,002 for deaths on or after October 1, 2025.
VA adjusts the non-service-connected amounts each year for deaths on or after October 1. Check the VA burial allowance page for the rate that matches the date of death.
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Time limits: for a service-connected death there is no time limit. For a non-service-connected death, you generally must file within 2 years after the burial. There is no time limit if the veteran died under VA care, or if you are claiming only the plot or interment allowance or transportation (VA).
How to apply: online, or by mailing VA Form 21P-530EZ, Application for Burial Benefits, to the Pension Intake Center, PO Box 5365, Janesville, WI 53547-5365. Include the death certificate showing the cause of death and itemized receipts for any transportation costs. VA also recommends including the veteran’s DD214 or other separation papers. VA’s phone line is 800-827-1000 (TTY 711).
A surviving spouse who is listed as the spouse on the veteran’s VA profile does not need to file. VA automatically pays eligible surviving spouses a set amount when it is notified of the death (VA).
Free burial in a VA national cemetery
This benefit is often worth more than the allowance. According to the National Cemetery Administration, burial in a VA national cemetery includes “a gravesite in any VA national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone, marker, or medallion, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and a burial flag all at no cost to the family.” Eligible spouses and dependents can be buried with the veteran, even if they die first (VA National Cemetery Administration).
What it does not cover: NCA states that “any item or service obtained from a funeral home or cremation office will be at the family’s expense.” The family still pays for the funeral home’s services, embalming or cremation, and a casket or urn. To keep that part low, compare itemized prices. See how much a funeral costs, line by line and what direct cremation costs.
FEMA funeral assistance
The COVID-19 program has closed
FEMA says “the deadline to apply for Funeral Assistance has passed and FEMA is no longer accepting new applications for COVID-19 Assistance.” The program helped with expenses incurred between January 20, 2020 and September 30, 2025, and FEMA reports awarding $3.26 billion to more than 506,000 applications (FEMA). Under FEMA’s policy it paid up to $9,000 per COVID-19-related funeral (FEMA policy FD 104-21-0001). If you see a site still promising COVID funeral money, it is out of date or a scam.
Disaster-related deaths
FEMA’s regular Individuals and Households Program can pay “for funeral or reburial expenses caused by the disaster,” but only when the disaster has been declared. The applicant’s expenses must be directly caused by a declared disaster and not already covered by insurance or other help (FEMA Individuals and Households Program fact sheet). If a hurricane, flood or other declared disaster caused the death, apply to FEMA for that disaster. An ordinary death does not qualify.
Other places to look
- Life insurance. Even a small group policy through an employer can help, and it is easy to overlook. See how to claim life insurance after a death.
- The estate. If you pay the bill yourself, keep every receipt. Whether the estate can repay you, and in what order, depends on state law. See what debts die with you.
- Local assistance. Some counties, cities and states help with burial or cremation costs for people with very low income. Rules and amounts vary widely, so ask the county social services office where the person died. New York City is one example: its Human Resources Administration’s Office of Burial Services pays up to $1,700 toward the funeral bill of a low-income New York City resident. If the bill is over $3,400, the cost of the plot, grave opening or cremation is deducted first, and the allowance is approved only if what remains is under $3,400. The application is due within 120 days of the death and can be filed online (NYC HRA, Burial Assistance). Our funeral resources directory lists more official programs.
Your next step: before you sign anything, find out whether the person was a veteran and ask for a copy of their DD214. Veteran status decides whether the VA allowances and a free national cemetery gravesite are on the table at all.
Sources
- NYC Human Resources Administration: Burial Assistance
- Social Security Administration: Lump-sum death payment
- Social Security Administration: What to do when someone dies
- eCFR: 20 CFR 404.390, Lump-sum death payment, general
- eCFR: 20 CFR 404.392, Who is entitled to the lump-sum death payment when there is no widow(er) living in the same household
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits
- VA National Cemetery Administration: Burial Benefits
- FEMA: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
- FEMA: Policy FD 104-21-0001, COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
- FEMA: Individuals and Households Program fact sheet