United States federal authorities have set aside funds to assist with the funeral costs of those who have died due to COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020. With the country’s coronavirus death toll now crossing 800,000, the need for such monetary assistance remains clear. 

Ellen Wynn McBrayer, the president of a funeral center in Georgia, said the reimbursement is one way of helping ease the emotional and financial burden that the pandemic has wreaked on communities across the country, according to reports from Associated Press.

Who is eligible for the financial assistance?

The eligibility criteria for the assistance have been kept simple by the federal authorities, who only used a two-slab filter process. A United States citizen, non-citizen national, or a qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses on or after January 20, 2020 can apply.

The second condition is to have proof of the death being caused by COVID-19 in United States territories and the District of Coluombia.

Which documents are required?

-An official death certificate issued by the American authorities that clearly states COVID as the cause of demise.

– According to the FEMA website, if the death occurred in the early stages of the pandemic — January 20th and May 16, 2020– the certificate should either state COVID as the reason for death or should be accompanied by a signed statement from the original certifier of the death certificate.

Who has benefitted from the scheme so far?

The programme has paid out more than 21,000 reimbursements in California and Texas, which have both reported more than 74,000 COVID-19 deaths. Residents applied for more than $141 million in each state, according to reports from Associated Press.

The fewest number of reimbursements have occurred in Vermont, where 123 people were awarded a total of about $704,000.

Which expenses are covered under the programme?

Expenses covered in the programme include burial plots or cremation niches, cremation and interment, use of funeral home equipment or staff, transportation or transfer of remains, funeral services, clergy or officiant services, costs for caskets or urns and markers or headstones.

The programme has been funded using federal stimulus funds, and money remains available. No online applications have been permitted by authorities.