Help with funeral costs for people who’ve died from COVID-19 could be covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, officials announced recently.
As of Tuesday, there have been 292 COVID-19 related deaths in Cumberland County, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Family members can apply for financial assistance starting Monday, agency officials said in a news release.
Funding assistance will be available for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020, and is through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Ahead of Monday, agency officials have also issued a warning for families to beware of scams.
“We have received reports of scammers reaching out to people offering to register them for funeral assistance,” the agency’s website states. “FEMA has not sent any such notifications and we do not contact people prior to them registering for assistance.
Officials said families should not disclose names, birth dates or social security numbers of any deceased family member to anyone claiming to be a federal employee or from FEMA, if it’s through an unsolicited phone call or email.
Officials said additional guidance is being finalized and will be released to potential applicants and community partners “as soon as possible.”
In the meantime, those who have COVID-19 funeral expenses are asked to keep and gather documentation.
David Breece, of Rogers & Breece Funeral Home in Fayetteville, said other than funerals for those who were active duty military service members, he’s never worked with a federal organization that’s stepped in to help cover costs.
“This is definitely a first,” Breece said. “When I first saw an email from the Funeral Directors Association, I was pretty shocked. I think it’s a great thing, but was surprised.”
Breece said he’s still gathering information and using resources through the National Funeral Directors Association for guidelines on how to help families.
Breece said he expects the families will need a copy of the funeral bill and death certificate with COVID-19 listed as the cause of death.
Earlier during the pandemic, Breece said, some families seemed upset that COVID-19 was listed as a cause of death.
“At the funeral home, we have no say,” he said. “It’s what the doctor ultimately listed as the cause of death.”
He said he thinks some family members were upset that the virus was listed as a cause of death, when they thought the their family member died of natural causes or old age. Some families also thought hospitals were intentionally listing COVID-19 as a cause of death in order to receive federal assistance.
“But now that FEMA is providing assistance, I think a lot of families may be glad at this point that it was listed and they, too, may be potentially reimbursed,” Breece said.
Bob Fenton, FEMA’s acting administrator, said in the news release that officials recognize the “immense grief” the COVID-19 pandemic has caused to so many.
“Although we cannot change what has happened, we affirm our commitment to help with funeral and burial expenses that many families did not anticipate,” Fenton said.
To obtain COVID-19 funeral assistance call 844-684-6333 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
To be eligible for assistance, families must meet the following conditions:
—The death certificate must indicate the death was directly or indirectly attributed to COVID-19 and in the U.S., or U.S. territory.
—The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020.
—There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.
—Funeral expenses documents — receipts, funeral home contract, etc. — that include the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the cost of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened are needed.
—Proof of funds received from other sources. The agency will not be able duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, or financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources.
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