Covering funeral costs for a child can be a challenging and heartbreaking experience. Fortunately, a range of programs, charities, and organizations exist to support families in need. Here is a comprehensive guide to national, state-specific, and local resources available to help alleviate the financial burden of a child’s funeral.
National Resources
These organizations provide support for child and infant funeral expenses across the U.S., regardless of location.
- The Tears Foundation
Offers financial assistance for infant and child funerals across multiple states. They have chapters in various regions and prioritize support for families in financial need. - Children’s Burial Assistance, Inc.
Assists families by working with funeral homes and cemeteries nationwide, offering free or reduced-cost burial services for children. - The Compassionate Friends
Provides emotional and financial support for grieving families. With local chapters across nearly every state, this organization offers both financial aid and a network of support. - Social Security Benefits
Offers a one-time payment of $255 if a parent is eligible for benefits, which can be used toward funeral expenses. This is typically available if the family already qualifies for Social Security support. - Crowdfunding Platforms
Sites like GoFundMe and Give InKind allow families to create fundraising pages for funeral expenses. These platforms are a way for friends, family, and community members to contribute and show support.
State-Specific Programs and Organizations
Each state has unique resources, departments, and organizations that offer funeral assistance to families in need. Here are some of the options available across various states:
California
- California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB)
Provides funeral assistance if the child’s death resulted from a crime. - SIDS America (California Chapter)
Offers financial support for funeral costs related to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Florida
- Florida Children’s First
Assists with funeral costs for children in foster care or who passed due to abuse or neglect. - The Children’s Legacy Foundation
Provides grants for funeral expenses to families in financial need.
Illinois
- Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS)
Offers financial aid to low-income families needing funeral assistance. - Chicago Area Project
Provides financial support for underserved families, including help with funeral costs for minors in Chicago.
New York
- New York State Department of Health
Provides assistance with burial costs for families in financial need. - Suffolk County Child Victims Unit
Offers funds to assist with funeral expenses in Suffolk County for low-income families.
Texas
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Offers burial assistance for children in foster care and those who passed due to abuse or neglect. - The Sweeney Alliance
Provides support for Texas families grieving a child’s death, including financial resources for funeral expenses.
Georgia
- Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS)
Provides funeral assistance for children in foster care or crime-related cases. - Georgia SIDS Alliance
Assists families affected by sudden infant death syndrome with funeral expenses.
Michigan
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
Offers burial assistance for financially needy families, with additional support available through local offices. - The Compassionate Friends – Southeast Michigan
Provides emotional and financial support for grieving families in Michigan.
Ohio
- Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS)
Provides some burial assistance to low-income families for children’s funerals. - The Sid Womack Memorial Fund
Assists Ohio families with costs for infant and child funerals.
Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS)
Offers limited financial assistance for covering child burial costs. - Emma’s Footprints
Provides support to families in Pennsylvania who have lost an infant, helping with funeral costs.
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Funeral Assistance Program
Provides funding for burial expenses for children from qualifying low-income families. - Greater Boston SIDS Foundation
Offers financial support for funerals of infants lost to SIDS.
North Carolina
- North Carolina Division of Social Services (DSS)
Provides funeral assistance for low-income families, including child funerals. - SIDS of North Carolina
Assists families experiencing the loss of a child to sudden infant death syndrome with funeral expenses.
Virginia
- Virginia Victims Fund (VVF)
Offers assistance with funeral costs if the child’s death was crime-related. - Virginia SIDS Alliance
Provides financial support for families who have lost a child to SIDS.
Arizona
- Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES)
Offers limited burial assistance for families needing help with child funeral costs. - Angel Heart Pajama Project
Assists under specific conditions in covering funeral expenses for children.
Washington State
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS)
Provides funeral assistance for families facing financial hardship. - SIDS Foundation of Washington
Covers partial funeral expenses for families affected by sudden infant death syndrome.
Additional Guidance and Local Resources
Families facing funeral costs for a child should also consider contacting their county social services or local health departments, as these offices often have emergency funds or connections to local charities and assistance programs. Community groups and religious organizations are also good resources, as many offer emergency support for families in times of grief.
Lastly, working directly with funeral homes may reveal additional options. Some funeral homes provide reduced rates or payment plans specifically for child and infant funerals.
