---
title: "Funeral Assistance: Help Paying for a Funeral or Burial"
description: "Help paying for a funeral: Social Security's death payment, veteran burial benefits, disaster aid, county programs and your FTC Funeral Rule rights."
url: https://neededcash.com/situations/funeral-assistance/
updated: 2026-10-10
site: NeededCash
---

When a death comes without savings

# Funeral assistance: help paying for a funeral or burial

Grief and a large bill arrive at the same time. These are the sources of help that exist and the rules that keep the cost under your control.

Quick answer

Funeral homes must give you an itemized price list under the FTC's Funeral Rule, and you can buy only what you want, including a casket or urn from somewhere else. For help paying, check Social Security's one-time $255 death payment to an eligible spouse or child, VA burial benefits for veterans, FEMA funeral help if the death was caused by a declared disaster, and county indigent burial programs through 211.

**On this page**

1. [ Help that may be available](#s-help-that-may-be-available)
2. [Your rights on price](#s-your-rights-on-price)
3. [Keep the bill down](#s-keep-the-bill-down)
4. [Common questions](#s-questions)

## Help that may be available

| Source | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| Social Security lump-sum death payment | A one-time $255 to a surviving spouse or eligible child; survivors may also get monthly benefits |
| VA burial benefits | Eligible veterans: burial allowances, a free headstone or marker, and burial in a national cemetery |
| FEMA funeral assistance | Deaths caused by a presidentially declared disaster, when the program is open for that event |
| County or city programs | Low-cost or indigent burial or cremation when the family cannot pay; rules vary |
| Employer, union or life insurance | Group life policies and union death benefits are often forgotten; check pay stubs and HR |
| Crime victim compensation | If the death was caused by a crime, state programs may cover funeral costs |

## Your rights on price

Under the Funeral Rule, a funeral home must give you a written general price list, tell you prices by phone, and cannot require you to buy a package. You can supply your own casket or urn and the home cannot charge you a fee for doing so. Direct cremation or immediate burial is usually the lowest-cost option and must be offered.

## Keep the bill down

Get at least two price lists, limit viewing hours, choose a simple service and ask about a memorial later. Ask the funeral home whether it accepts payment in installments.

### Need to cover the cost now?

If benefits will not arrive before the funeral home needs payment, see what licensed lenders in your state can offer for a fixed-payment loan.

[(800) 236-7761](tel:+18002367761)[Cover funeral costs](#nc-rail)

## Common questions

### Does Social Security pay for funerals?

Not directly. It pays a one-time $255 death payment to an eligible surviving spouse or child, and survivors may qualify for monthly benefits. The funeral home or SSA can help you report the death.

### What if the family cannot pay for a funeral at all?

Many counties provide a basic burial or cremation when no one can pay. Call the county's human services office or 211, and tell the funeral home or coroner about your situation.

### Can I buy a casket online?

Yes. The Funeral Rule lets you supply your own casket or urn, and the funeral home cannot refuse it or charge a fee for using it.

## Where these facts come from

- [FTC: the Funeral Rule](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/shopping-funeral-services)
- [Social Security Administration: lump-sum death payment and survivors benefits](https://www.ssa.gov/survivors)
- [VA: burial benefits and memorial items](https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/)
- [FEMA: funeral assistance](https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program/funeral)
- [211.org: local help with rent, food and bills](https://www.211.org/)

Sources checked October 10, 2026. Programs and rules change; confirm details with the agency or company before you act.

## Disclosures

**Not a lender.** NeededCash.com is not a lender, loan broker, or agent of any lender and does not make credit decisions. We operate a free matching service that shares the information you submit with participating licensed lenders and lending partners, who may contact you with an offer and who pay us a referral fee.

**Rates and terms.** Each lender sets its own rates, fees, and terms and will disclose them in writing as required by the federal Truth in Lending Act before you sign. Personal and installment loans from lenders in our network typically carry APRs from about 5.99% to 35.99% with terms from 3 to 84 months. Representative example: a $5,000 loan over 36 months at 15.99% APR has 36 payments of $175.76 and a total cost of $6,327.36.

## Keep going

- [Behind on bills](https://neededcash.com/situations/behind-on-bills/)
- [Hardship letter](https://neededcash.com/situations/hardship-letter/)

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Canonical page: https://neededcash.com/situations/funeral-assistance/