Who Can Help Pay for a Funeral in Virginia

Funeral expenses can create financial challenges for families, but Virginia offers various programs and resources to help manage these costs. This guide outlines state, federal, and local assistance programs, nonprofit resources, veterans’ benefits, religious and cultural organizations, and crowdfunding options available to Virginia residents.

Government Funeral Funding Programs

Here are government programs that can assist with funeral expenses at the state, federal, and county levels.

Virginia State Programs

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

• Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Burial Assistance: Offers financial aid for burial or cremation expenses for indigent individuals or unclaimed remains. Contact your local VDSS office or visit the Virginia DSS website for details.
• Medicaid Burial Assistance: Funeral cost assistance may be available for Medicaid recipients who meet eligibility requirements. Contact your local DSS office for more information.

Federal Assistance Programs

Federal programs available to Virginia residents include:

• Social Security Death Benefit: A one-time $255 payment is available to eligible survivors of deceased Social Security beneficiaries. Learn more at the Social Security Administration website.
• FEMA Funeral Assistance: Provides financial aid for funeral costs resulting from federally declared natural disasters. Visit the FEMA website for eligibility details.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Burial Benefits: Eligible veterans and their families may qualify for burial allowances, cemetery plot coverage, and funeral expense reimbursements. Visit VA Burial Benefits for more details.

Veterans Funeral Assistance

Veterans and their families in Virginia can access specialized funeral benefits:

• VA Burial Benefits: Covers burial costs, a government-provided headstone or marker, and interment in a national cemetery. Learn more at VA Burial Benefits.
• Virginia State Veterans Cemeteries: Virginia operates multiple veterans cemeteries, including locations in Amelia, Dublin, and Suffolk, offering burial services to eligible veterans and their families at reduced or no cost. Visit the Virginia Department of Veterans Services website for more information.

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

Local and County Assistance Programs

Counties and cities in Virginia may offer additional funeral cost assistance. Examples include:

• Fairfax County Burial Assistance: Provides financial aid for burial or cremation expenses for indigent residents. Contact the Fairfax County Department of Family Services for details.
• Richmond Indigent Burial Program: Covers basic burial or cremation costs for low-income individuals. Contact the Richmond Department of Social Services for more information.
• Virginia Beach Funeral Assistance: Offers limited funeral cost assistance for qualifying residents. Contact the Virginia Beach Social Services office for details.

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

Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs

Several nonprofit organizations in Virginia provide support for funeral expenses:

• Catholic Charities of Virginia: Offers emergency financial assistance for funeral costs to low-income families. Visit Catholic Charities VA.
• United Way of Virginia: Connects families with local resources for funeral assistance. Dial 2-1-1 or visit United Way VA.
• Salvation Army Virginia: Provides emergency financial aid for funeral-related expenses. Visit Salvation Army VA.

See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.

Religious and Cultural Organizations

Religious and cultural organizations in Virginia may offer funeral assistance. Examples include:

• Catholic Diocese of Arlington: Catholic parishes may provide financial aid for funeral costs. Visit the Diocese of Arlington website for details.
• Jewish Community Federation of Richmond: Offers funeral assistance for Jewish families in need. Learn more at Jewish Federation Richmond.
• Local Churches and Religious Organizations: Many churches, synagogues, and mosques provide funeral-related assistance. Use online directories such as the Catholic Directory or The Gospel Coalition to locate nearby resources.

See also:

• Christian charities that can help with funeral costs
• Jewish charities that can help with funeral costs

Crowdfunding Options

Crowdfunding platforms can help families 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 Virginia

See also: Funeral Expense Help by State