Where to Look for Burial Funding Assistance

Providing the poor with a decent, dignified burial is one of the oldest social services on earth.  If you need help with the expenses of burying a loved one, here are some places to look:

--If your locality has a 211 agency referral number, call ask the referal experts to see if there are any agencies that provide burial expenses.  Go to the website and put in your city or zip code.

--Your state's social service agency.  Some help with burial expenses for poor people. 

--Social security.  There is a small lump sum amount at the death of a Social Security recipient ($255).

--Was the deceased a veteran?  Besides VA benefits, some states have burial funds for veterans

--Did they die as the result of a crime?  Some states have benefits for those who have died as the result of a crime

--Religious organizations. If you are a member of a church or denomination, they may help the burial of indigent people in that faith. 

--If the deceased is a child, there are organizations that assist in funding the burial of children in parts of the U.S.  The Unforgettables helps with funeral expenses of children in Orange County, San Bernadino and Riverside, California.  AMT Children of Hope, based in the New York City area, works to prevent the abandonment of infants, but also provides assistance for the burial of children.  Child Burial Assistance Inc. of Georgia also helps child burials in that state.

--The angels of Aidpage came up with another winner: a page full of suggestions on burial financial help.

.--In New York, there is a guide for burial assistance options. Although it’s dated (2002), it may give you an idea of where to go for help. There’s also assistance for New York City residents of up to $900 and an application online.