Funeral costs can be a significant financial burden, but Wisconsin provides various resources to help families manage expenses. This guide outlines state, federal, local, and nonprofit programs, as well as religious and cultural support, crowdfunding options, and resources for veterans.
Government Funeral Funding Programs
Here are funeral cost assistance programs at the federal, state, and county levels.
Wisconsin State Programs
Wisconsin offers state-level programs to assist families struggling with funeral expenses:
- Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aid Program (WFCAP): Provides financial assistance for funeral, burial, or cremation expenses for low-income individuals enrolled in Medicaid. Eligible expenses include up to $1,500 for funeral services and $1,000 for burial or cremation. Visit WFCAP for more details.
- County Burial Assistance Programs: Wisconsin counties may provide programs to assist with the burial or cremation of indigent individuals. Contact your local county office or refer to How to help funeral expenses help at the county level for more information.
Federal Assistance Programs
Federal programs that assist Wisconsin residents include:
- Social Security Death Benefit: Offers a one-time $255 payment to eligible survivors of deceased Social Security beneficiaries. Learn more at Social Security Administration.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Burial Benefits: Eligible veterans and their families may qualify for burial allowances, cemetery plot coverage, and funeral expense reimbursement. Learn more at VA Burial Benefits.
Veterans Funeral Assistance
Veterans and their families have access to specialized funeral benefits. These include:
- VA Burial Benefits: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides allowances for burial costs, interment in a national cemetery, and headstone or marker coverage. Learn more at VA Burial Benefits.
- Additional Support for Veterans: For a complete guide to programs that can help veterans with funeral costs, see Help to Pay for U.S. Veterans’ Funerals.
Local and County Assistance Programs
Local governments in Wisconsin often provide additional support for funeral costs. Examples include:
- Milwaukee County Burial Assistance Program: Offers financial support for burial or cremation expenses for low-income residents. Visit Milwaukee County Resources.
- Dane County Funeral Assistance: Provides limited aid for families in financial distress. Visit Dane County Services.
- Brown County Burial Assistance: Helps with funeral costs for indigent individuals. Visit Brown County Resources.
Learn more: How to help funeral expenses help at the county level.
Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs
Several nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin provide support for funeral expenses:
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Madison: Offers financial aid for funeral costs to low-income families. Visit Catholic Charities Wisconsin.
- Salvation Army Wisconsin: Provides emergency financial assistance for funeral-related expenses. Visit Salvation Army Wisconsin.
- United Way of Wisconsin: Connects families with local resources for funeral assistance. Dial 2-1-1 or visit United Way Wisconsin.
See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.
Religious and Cultural Organizations
Religious and cultural organizations in Wisconsin may provide funeral assistance to their members. Examples include:
- Archdiocese of Milwaukee: Catholic parishes may offer financial aid for funeral expenses. Visit Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
- Jewish Federation of Madison: Provides financial assistance for Jewish families in need. Learn more at Jewish Federation Madison.
- 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 platforms can help families raise funds for funeral expenses through their community. Popular options include:
- GoFundMe: Create a funeral fundraiser and share it with friends and family. Visit GoFundMe.
- FundRazr: Another effective platform for personal fundraising campaigns. Visit FundRazr.
Resources Table: Funeral Assistance in Wisconsin
| Resource | Type of Assistance | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Funeral and Cemetery Aid Program (WFCAP) | Funeral and burial expense coverage | Medicaid recipients | Visit WFCAP |
| 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 | Funeral and burial cost coverage | Veterans and their families | Visit VA Burial Benefits |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Madison | Financial aid for funeral costs | Low-income families | Visit Catholic Charities Wisconsin |
| Salvation Army Wisconsin | Emergency funeral cost assistance | Families in crisis | Visit Salvation Army Wisconsin |
| United Way of Wisconsin | Connects families with resources | Open to all | Visit United Way Wisconsin |
| Milwaukee County Burial Assistance | Funeral expense support | Indigent residents | Visit Milwaukee County Resources |
| Dane County Funeral Assistance | Burial or cremation cost support | Low-income families | Visit Dane County Services |
| Brown County Burial Assistance | Funeral assistance for indigent cases | County-determined | Visit Brown County Resources |
| Archdiocese of Milwaukee | Emergency aid for funeral costs | Members of Catholic parishes | Visit Archdiocese of Milwaukee |
| Jewish Federation of Madison | Funeral cost support | Jewish families in need | Visit Jewish Federation Madison |
| 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.
