Funeral costs can be a significant financial burden, but Wyoming provides several resources to help families manage expenses. This guide covers state, federal, local, and nonprofit programs, as well as religious and cultural support and crowdfunding options.
Government Funeral Funding Programs
Here are funeral cost assistance programs at the federal, state, and county levels.
Wyoming State Programs
Wyoming offers state-level programs to assist families struggling with funeral expenses:
- Wyoming Department of Health Indigent Burial Program: Provides financial assistance for burial or cremation expenses for low-income individuals receiving state aid. Visit Wyoming Department of Health for more information.
- County-Level Burial Assistance: Many Wyoming counties offer programs to cover burial or cremation costs 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 that assist Wyoming residents include:
- Social Security Death Benefit: Offers a one-time $255 payment to 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 funeral expense reimbursement. Learn more at VA Burial Benefits.
Local and County Assistance Programs
Several counties in Wyoming provide support for funeral expenses. Examples include:
- Laramie County Indigent Burial Program: Offers financial assistance for burial or cremation expenses for qualifying low-income residents. Contact Laramie County Services.
- Natrona County Burial Assistance: Provides support to families in financial need. Learn more at Natrona County Resources.
- Sweetwater County Funeral Assistance: Covers basic burial or cremation costs for indigent individuals. Visit Sweetwater County.
Learn more: How to help funeral expenses help at the county level.
Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs
Several nonprofit organizations in Wyoming offer assistance with funeral costs:
- Catholic Charities of Wyoming: Provides financial aid for low-income families in need of funeral assistance. Visit Catholic Charities Wyoming.
- Salvation Army Wyoming: Offers emergency financial assistance for funeral-related expenses. Visit Salvation Army Wyoming.
- United Way of Wyoming: Connects families with local resources for funeral cost assistance. Dial 2-1-1 or visit United Way Wyoming.
See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.
Religious and Cultural Organizations
Religious and cultural organizations in Wyoming may offer funeral assistance. Examples include:
- Diocese of Cheyenne: Catholic parishes may provide financial aid for funeral expenses. Visit Diocese of Cheyenne.
- Jewish Community of Wyoming: Provides support for Jewish families in need of funeral assistance. Learn more at Mountain States Jewish Federation.
- Search for a Local Church: Catholic, Protestant: Use online directories to locate 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.
Funeral Expense Help for Veterans
To understand what assistance is available to pay for a veteran’s funeral, see this post. We outline what financial support is available for those who have served in the U.S. military.
Resource Table: Funeral Assistance in Wyoming
| Resource | Type of Assistance | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Department of Health Indigent Burial Program | Financial support for burial costs | Low-income individuals | Visit Wyoming Department of Health |
| 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 Wyoming | Financial aid for funeral costs | Low-income families | Visit Catholic Charities Wyoming |
| Salvation Army Wyoming | Emergency funeral cost assistance | Families in crisis | Visit Salvation Army Wyoming |
| United Way of Wyoming | Connects families with resources | Open to all | Visit United Way Wyoming |
| Laramie County Indigent Burial Program | Funeral expense support | Indigent residents | Visit Laramie County Services |
| Natrona County Burial Assistance | Burial or cremation cost support | Low-income families | Visit Natrona County Resources |
| Sweetwater County Funeral Assistance | Burial or cremation assistance | Indigent individuals | Visit Sweetwater County |
| Diocese of Cheyenne | Emergency aid for funeral costs | Members of Catholic parishes | Visit Diocese of Cheyenne |
| Mountain States Jewish Federation | Funeral cost support | Jewish families in need | Visit Mountain States Jewish Federation |
| 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.
