List of Charities & Nonprofits that Help with Funeral Costs

Most Americans can’t afford the average funeral cost of $11,000 in the United States. Some people crowdfund to collect donations for funeral expenses.

In this article, we will break down some of the best avenues you can explore if you need financial assistance to pay for a funeral.

Funeral charities and nonprofits that help with funeral costs

If you need assistance paying for a funeral, a number of charities and nonprofit organizations are stepping up to help. Here are a few.

Charities at the national level Help With Free Funeral

Almost half of all U.S. states offer some type of funeral assistance. However, if you live in an area without these resources, there are some national organizations that can help.

Families in mourning can receive financial assistance and emotional support from Final Farewell if they need help paying for the funeral of their children.

Foundation TEARS

This foundation directly pays funeral homes up to $500 to cover funeral costs for babies under one year of age as well as fetuses after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Alliance of Funeral Consumers

While the Funeral Consumers Alliance does not pay for funerals outright, it does help people find low-cost burial options.

The Cause of Kaden

The Kasden’s Cause non-profit organization supports families affected by the tragedy of losing a child as a 501c3 organization. With funding, they help low-income families and individuals (those living at or below the federal poverty line) cover funeral, cemetery, and monument costs.

Charities at the state and local levels Offer Free Funeral

We can’t list every available resource in every state, but we can help you find some. Before looking for national charities that help with funeral expenses, you can look for resources more locally to you.

If you need help navigating the complicated process of loss, including planning or attending a service, check out our post-loss checklist.

Memorial societies in local communities

There is usually a nominal fee to join a memorial society, but you benefit from greatly reduced funeral costs.

The Funeral Consumers Alliance can help you find a reputable memorial society in thirty-one states.

It’s also a good idea to check whether the memorial society you’re considering is a nonprofit entity. Nonprofit memorial societies have lower fees and aren’t motivated by profit like mainstream funeral homes.

Religious organizations and churches Offer Free Funeral

In addition, many churches work with other local organizations to defray or even cover funeral costs for their members.

Dial 211

If you dial 211 on your phone, it will connect you with an operator who will provide information about local organizations that can help you with funeral expenses in many states.

Funeral assistance programs offered by the government

In addition to private nonprofit organizations, statewide and national government programs can also assist with funeral costs.

The federal government’s programs

Some funeral assistance is available from the federal government in certain cases, usually for veterans, the elderly, or disaster victims.

When a person dies during a national disaster (as declared by the President), FEMA is able to provide burial assistance.

It would be considered a national disaster if someone drowned during a hurricane. Indirect victims would be those who died because they were unable to use their oxygen machine because of a power outage during the hurricane. Generally, FEMA funds are only available as a last resort, but they might be able to cover the cost of a burial plot, urn, and marker.

Funeral Benefits from the Social Security Administration

In the event of a death, the Social Security Administration pays a one-time death settlement of $2505 to the spouse or children of the deceased. While it won’t cover a funeral, it can help offset some other costs. To receive this settlement, you must meet SSA requirements.

In addition to funeral expenses, if the deceased was of retirement age, his or her spouse or children may be eligible to collect survivors’ benefits.

Funeral Help from Veterans Affairs (VA)

A veteran’s funeral assistance level depends on several factors, including whether the death was related to military service or not. The VA will still provide up to $796 for burial expenses if the death was not related to military service. If the death was service-related, the VA will provide up to $2,000 in funeral assistance.

A veteran’s spouse may receive an additional payout if their serving partner is killed on active duty, including veterans who die at a later date as a result of injuries or illnesses sustained during active duty.

For veterans who are buried in a national cemetery, the VA will cover the opening and closing of the grave. The VA will also provide the next of kin with a gravestone and a burial flag.

Programs at the state and local levels

While federal funeral assistance programs are limited in scope, some state-level programs may also be of assistance.

Generally, federal assistance will supplant state-level aid. This means that state and federal benefits may not overlap. Here are some resources for state and local funeral assistance.

Burial benefits under Medicaid

For those who were receiving Medicaid benefits at the time of their death, some Medicaid programs offer financial assistance for final expenses.

For more information about Medicaid funds in your state, be sure to contact the Medicaid helpline directly for your state. This varies from state to state, so be sure to contact your state’s Medicaid helpline directly.

Help from the county or local government

The state or local government may cover the cost of cremation or a no-frills burial for families who cannot afford a burial. Contact your local coroner’s office and explain your financial situation.

You may not receive your loved one’s ashes, or your loved one could end up in an unmarked pauper’s grave. This should be reserved for the truly indigent.

Programs that provide burial assistance

Several states provide burial assistance programs. Depending on a family’s financial situation, they can provide a variety of levels of assistance. Alaska residents, for instance, can get assistance from the General Relief Assistance fund. There are various types of assistance that your family may qualify for based on its financial status.

Find out if your state offers burial assistance programs by searching the internet.

Assistance programs for tribal burials

For more information on available programs, consult the burial resources guide of the National Council of Urban Indian Health.

Programs to assist crime victims with their burials

In many states, crime victims can receive free therapy or reimbursements for lost wages or medical costs. If a victim is killed during a crime, burial costs may be covered by the state’s compensation program.

State, national, and local aid to defray funeral costs

You may be wary about crowdfunding to cover funeral costs. You might worry about putting undue pressure on your friends to contribute, or even feel embarrassed that you can’t afford a funeral on your own. If you’re in that boat, explore charities and nonprofits.

In addition, you can determine if you qualify for state, local, or federal financial aid. Even if you cannot fully cover the funeral costs, you might be able to receive discounts or a small amount of money to offset them. Your loved one deserves to be sent off as well as possible with help like this.

Read our guides on how to pay for a funeral without money and how to ask for donations for funeral expenses for more ideas on how to pay for a funeral.