Funeral expenses can be overwhelming, but New Jersey offers various resources to help families cover these costs. This guide includes state, federal, and local assistance programs, as well as nonprofit support, veterans’ benefits, religious and cultural resources, and crowdfunding options.
Government Funeral Funding Programs
Here are funeral cost assistance programs at the federal, state, and county levels.
New Jersey State Programs
New Jersey provides state-level programs to assist families with funeral expenses:
- New Jersey Medicaid Funeral Assistance: Offers limited funeral and burial expense coverage for Medicaid recipients. Visit New Jersey Medicaid for more details.
- New Jersey General Assistance Burial Program: Provides financial assistance for burial or cremation expenses for low-income individuals who qualify for General Assistance. Learn more at NJ General Assistance.
- County Burial Assistance Programs: Many counties in New Jersey provide burial or cremation cost assistance for unclaimed or indigent individuals. Contact your local county office or visit How to help funeral expenses help at the county level for more information.
Federal Assistance Programs
Federal programs that assist New Jersey residents include:
- Social Security Death Benefit: Provides 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.
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. Visit VA Burial Benefits for details.
- Additional Support for Veterans: For a comprehensive guide to veteran-specific funeral programs, see Help to Pay for U.S. Veterans’ Funerals.
Local and County Assistance Programs
New Jersey counties provide additional support for funeral costs. Examples include:
- Essex County Burial Assistance: Offers financial support for burial or cremation expenses for indigent individuals. Visit Essex County Services.
- Hudson County Funeral Assistance: Provides limited aid for families in financial distress. Visit Hudson County Resources.
- Camden County Burial Program: Covers basic burial or cremation costs for indigent residents. Visit Camden County Resources.
Learn more: How to help funeral expenses help at the county level.
Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs
Several nonprofit organizations in New Jersey provide support for funeral expenses:
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark: Offers emergency financial assistance for funeral costs to low-income families. Visit Catholic Charities Newark.
- Salvation Army New Jersey Division: Provides emergency financial assistance for funeral-related expenses. Visit Salvation Army New Jersey.
- United Way of Greater Newark: Connects families with local resources for funeral assistance. Dial 2-1-1 or visit United Way New Jersey.
See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.
Religious and Cultural Organizations
Religious and cultural organizations in New Jersey often provide funeral support. Examples include:
- Archdiocese of Newark: Catholic parishes may offer financial assistance for funeral expenses. Visit Archdiocese of Newark.
- Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey: Offers support for Jewish families in need of funeral assistance. Learn more at Jewish Federation NNJ.
- 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 allow families to 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.
Resource Table: Funeral Assistance in New Jersey
| Resource | Type of Assistance | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Medicaid Funeral Assistance | Limited funeral expense coverage | Medicaid recipients | Visit NJ Medicaid |
| General Assistance Burial Program | Burial or cremation cost coverage | Low-income families | Visit NJ General Assistance |
| 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 Newark | Financial aid for funeral costs | Low-income families | Visit Catholic Charities Newark |
| Salvation Army New Jersey | Emergency funeral cost assistance | Families in crisis | Visit Salvation Army New Jersey |
| United Way of Greater Newark | Connects families with resources | Open to all | Visit United Way New Jersey |
| Essex County Burial Assistance | Funeral expense support | Indigent residents | Visit Essex County Services |
| Hudson County Funeral Assistance | Burial or cremation cost support | Low-income families | Visit Hudson County Resources |
| Camden County Burial Program | Funeral assistance for indigent cases | County-determined | Visit Camden County Resources |
| Archdiocese of Newark | Emergency aid for funeral costs | Members of Catholic parishes | Visit Archdiocese of Newark |
| Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey | Funeral cost support | Jewish families in need | Visit Jewish Federation NNJ |
| 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.
