Funeral expenses can place a heavy financial burden on families, but there are resources in Montana to assist. This guide outlines state, federal, local, and nonprofit programs, along with religious and cultural support options and crowdfunding resources.
Government Funeral Funding Programs
Here are funeral cost assistance programs at the federal, state, and county levels.
Montana State Programs
Montana provides assistance for families in need of help with funeral costs:
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Burial Assistance: This program offers financial support for burial or cremation expenses for low-income individuals who receive state aid such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Visit Montana DPHHS for more information.
- Indigent Burial Programs: Counties in Montana manage burial programs for unclaimed or indigent individuals. Contact your local county office or learn more at How to help funeral expenses help at the county level.
Federal Assistance Programs
Federal programs available in Montana include:
- Social Security Death Benefit: A one-time $255 payment is available for eligible survivors of deceased Social Security beneficiaries. Visit Social Security Administration for details.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Burial Benefits: Eligible veterans and their families may qualify for burial allowances, cemetery plot coverage, and other funeral-related benefits. Learn more at VA Burial Benefits.
Local and County Assistance Programs
Many counties in Montana provide local support for funeral expenses. Examples include:
- Yellowstone County Indigent Burial Program: Offers assistance for unclaimed individuals or those with no means to pay for funeral expenses. Contact Yellowstone County Services.
- Missoula County Burial Assistance: Provides financial help for low-income residents. Visit Missoula County Resources.
- Cascade County Indigent Funeral Services: Covers burial or cremation costs for qualifying families. Contact Cascade County.
Learn more: How to help funeral expenses help at the county level.
Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs
Nonprofit organizations in Montana offer various forms of support for funeral expenses:
- Catholic Social Services of Montana: Provides financial support to low-income families for funeral costs. Visit Catholic Social Services Montana.
- Salvation Army Montana: Offers emergency financial aid for funeral-related expenses. Learn more at Salvation Army Montana.
- United Way of Montana: Connects families with local resources for funeral assistance. Dial 2-1-1 or visit United Way Montana.
See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.
Religious and Cultural Organizations
Religious and cultural organizations in Montana may provide support for funeral costs. Examples include:
- Diocese of Helena: Catholic parishes may offer emergency aid for funeral expenses. Visit Diocese of Helena.
- Jewish Community of Montana: Provides financial assistance for Jewish families in need. Visit Montana Jewish Project.
- Search for a Local Church: Catholic, Protestant: Use online directories to find nearby churches offering assistance. Visit Catholic Directory or The Gospel Coalition.
Crowdfunding Options
Crowdfunding is a common method to raise funds for funeral expenses by reaching out to the community. Popular platforms include:
- GoFundMe: Create a funeral fundraiser and share it with your network. Visit GoFundMe.
- FundRazr: Another effective platform for personal fundraising. Visit FundRazr.
Resources Table: Funeral Assistance in Montana
Here is a summary table of resources for funeral funding assistance in Minnesota.
| Resource | Type of Assistance | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana DPHHS Burial Assistance | Limited funeral coverage | Low-income individuals | Visit Montana DPHHS |
| County Burial Assistance Programs | Burial or cremation cost support | County-determined | Visit How to help funeral expenses help at the county level |
| Social Security Death Benefit | One-time $255 payment | Eligible survivors | Visit SSA |
| VA Burial Benefits | Veterans’ burial support | Veterans and their families | Visit VA Burial Benefits |
| Catholic Social Services of Montana | Financial assistance for funeral costs | Low-income families | Visit Catholic Social Services Montana |
| Salvation Army Montana | Emergency funeral cost assistance | Families in crisis | Visit Salvation Army Montana |
| United Way of Montana | Connects families with resources | Open to all | Visit United Way Montana |
| Yellowstone County Indigent Burial Program | Burial assistance for indigent cases | Low-income residents | Visit Yellowstone County Services |
| Missoula County Burial Assistance | Funeral expense support | Low-income families | Visit Missoula County Resources |
| Cascade County Indigent Funeral Services | Burial or cremation assistance | Indigent residents | Visit Cascade County |
| Diocese of Helena | Emergency aid for funeral costs | Members of Catholic parishes | Visit Diocese of Helena |
| Montana Jewish Project | Funeral cost support | Jewish families in need | Visit Montana Jewish Project |
| Catholic Directory | Locate nearby Catholic churches | Open to all | Visit Catholic Directory |
| The Gospel Coalition | Locate nearby Protestant churches | Open to all | Visit The Gospel Coalition |
| GoFundMe | Crowdfunding for funeral expenses | Open to all | Visit GoFundMe |
| FundRazr | Crowdfunding for funeral expenses | Open to all | Visit FundRazr |
For more information, see Help with Funeral Costs State by State.
