Who Can Help Pay for a Funeral in South Dakota

Funeral expenses can pose significant financial challenges for families, but South Dakota offers a variety of resources to help manage these costs. This guide highlights state, federal, and local assistance programs, nonprofit resources, veterans’ benefits, religious and cultural organizations, and crowdfunding options available in South Dakota.

Government Funeral Funding Programs

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

South Dakota State Programs

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

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

Federal Assistance Programs

Federal programs available to South Dakota 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 due to federally declared natural disasters. Visit the FEMA website for eligibility details.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Burial Benefits: Eligible veterans and their families can receive burial allowances, cemetery plot coverage, and funeral expense reimbursements. Visit VA Burial Benefits for more information.

Veterans Funeral Assistance

Veterans and their families in South Dakota 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.
• Black Hills National Cemetery: Located near Sturgis, this national cemetery offers burial services to eligible veterans and their families at no cost. Visit the Black Hills National Cemetery website for details.

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

Local and County Assistance Programs

Counties in South Dakota may offer additional funeral cost assistance. Examples include:

• Minnehaha County Burial Assistance: Offers limited financial aid for burial or cremation expenses for low-income residents. Contact the Minnehaha County Social Services office for more information.
• Pennington County Indigent Burial Program: Provides basic burial or cremation services for qualifying individuals. Contact the Pennington County Social Services office for details.
• Brown County Funeral Assistance: Assists with funeral expenses for indigent individuals. Contact Brown County Social Services for more information.

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

Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs

Several nonprofit organizations in South Dakota provide support for funeral expenses:

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

See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.

Religious and Cultural Organizations

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

• Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls: Catholic parishes may provide financial aid for funeral costs. Visit the Diocese of Sioux Falls website for more details.
• Jewish Federation of South Dakota: Offers support for Jewish families in need of funeral assistance. Contact the Jewish Federation for information.
• Local Churches and Religious Organizations: Many churches, mosques, and synagogues 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 are a popular way to 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 South Dakota

See also: Funeral Expense Help by State