Who Can Help Pay for a Funeral in North Dakota

Funeral expenses can create financial stress for families, but North Dakota offers various resources to help manage these costs. This guide highlights state, federal, and local assistance programs, nonprofit resources, veterans’ benefits, religious and cultural organizations, and crowdfunding options.

Government Funeral Funding Programs

Here are funeral cost assistance programs available at the federal, state, and county levels.

North Dakota State Programs

North Dakota provides state-level resources to assist families with funeral costs:

• North Dakota Department of Human Services (DHS) Burial Assistance: Provides funeral or burial expense assistance for indigent individuals and unclaimed remains. Contact your local County Social Services office or visit the North Dakota DHS website for more details.
• Medicaid Burial Assistance: Assistance for funeral expenses may be available for Medicaid recipients, depending on eligibility. For more information, contact your local DHS office.

Federal Assistance Programs

Federal programs can help cover funeral expenses for eligible North Dakota residents:

• Social Security Death Benefit: Offers a one-time $255 payment to eligible survivors of deceased Social Security beneficiaries. Visit the Social Security Administration website for details.
• FEMA Funeral Assistance: Provides financial aid to families who incur funeral costs due to natural disasters. Check the FEMA website for eligibility requirements.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Burial Benefits: Eligible veterans and their families may qualify for burial allowances, cemetery plot coverage, and reimbursement for funeral expenses. Learn more at VA Burial Benefits.

Veterans Funeral Assistance

Veterans and their families in North Dakota can access specialized funeral benefits:

• VA Burial Benefits: Covers costs related to interment in a national cemetery, a government-provided headstone or marker, and additional funeral allowances. For more information, visit VA Burial Benefits.
• North Dakota Veterans Cemetery Assistance: Eligible veterans may be buried in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan, often at reduced or no cost. Visit the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery website for details.

For additional resources, see Help to Pay for U.S. Veterans’ Funerals.

Local and County Assistance Programs

North Dakota counties may provide financial assistance for funeral expenses. Examples include:

• Cass County Burial Assistance: Offers limited aid for burial or cremation expenses for indigent residents. Contact Cass County Social Services for more information.
• Burleigh County Indigent Burial Program: Covers basic burial costs for qualifying individuals. Contact Burleigh County Social Services for details.
• Ward County Funeral Assistance: Assists with funeral costs for low-income residents or unclaimed remains. Visit Ward County Social Services for more information.

Learn more: How to help funeral expenses help at the county level.

Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs

Several nonprofits in North Dakota provide funeral cost assistance:

• Catholic Charities North Dakota: Offers emergency financial aid for funeral expenses to qualifying families. Visit Catholic Charities ND for more information.
• United Way of North Dakota: Connects families with local resources for funeral assistance. Dial 2-1-1 or visit United Way North Dakota.
• Salvation Army North Dakota: Provides emergency financial aid for funeral-related expenses. Visit Salvation Army ND.

See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.

Religious and Cultural Organizations

Religious and cultural organizations in North Dakota may offer funeral support:

• Catholic Diocese of Fargo: Catholic parishes may provide financial assistance for funeral costs. Visit the Diocese of Fargo website for information.
• Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota: Offers emergency assistance for funeral costs to low-income families. Learn more at Lutheran Social Services ND.
• Jewish Federation of North Dakota: Provides funeral assistance for Jewish families in need. Contact the Jewish Federation for more information.

Crowdfunding Options

Crowdfunding platforms are a popular way to raise funds for funeral expenses. Consider these options:

• GoFundMe: Create a funeral fundraiser and share it with friends and family. Visit GoFundMe.
• FundRazr: Another effective platform for personal fundraising campaigns. Visit FundRazr.

Resource Table: Funeral Assistance in North Dakota

See also: Funeral Expense Help by State