Who Can Help Pay for a Funeral in Missouri

Funeral expenses can be a significant financial challenge, but Missouri offers a variety of resources and programs to help families manage these costs. This guide provides information on state, federal, and local assistance programs, nonprofit resources, veterans’ benefits, religious and cultural organizations, and crowdfunding options available to Missouri residents.

Government Funeral Funding Programs

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

Missouri State Programs

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

Missouri Department of Social Services (DSS) Burial Assistance: Offers financial aid for burial or cremation expenses for indigent individuals and unclaimed remains. Contact your local DSS office or visit the Missouri DSS website for more information.

Medicaid Burial Assistance: Limited funeral cost assistance may be available for Medicaid recipients who meet eligibility requirements. Contact your local DSS office for details.

Federal Assistance Programs

Federal programs available to Missouri 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 details.

Veterans Funeral Assistance

Veterans and their families in Missouri 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.

Missouri Veterans Cemeteries: Missouri operates five veterans cemeteries located in Jacksonville, Bloomfield, Higginsville, Fort Leonard Wood, and Springfield, offering burial services for eligible veterans and their families at no cost. Visit the Missouri Veterans Commission website for more information.

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

Local and County Assistance Programs

Counties and cities in Missouri may offer additional funeral cost assistance. Examples include:

Jackson County Burial Assistance: Provides financial aid for burial or cremation expenses for indigent residents. Contact the Jackson County Department of Social Services for details.

St. Louis Indigent Burial Program: Covers basic burial or cremation costs for qualifying residents. Contact the City of St. Louis Department of Human Services for more information.

Greene County Funeral Assistance: Offers limited funeral cost assistance for low-income residents. Contact the Greene County Department of Social Services for details.

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

Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs

Several nonprofit organizations in Missouri provide support for funeral expenses:

Catholic Charities of Missouri: Offers emergency financial assistance for funeral costs to low-income families. Visit Catholic Charities Missouri.

United Way of Missouri: Connects families with local resources for funeral assistance. Dial 2-1-1 or visit United Way Missouri.

Salvation Army Missouri: Provides emergency financial aid for funeral-related expenses. Visit Salvation Army Missouri.

See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.

Religious and Cultural Organizations

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

Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph: Catholic parishes may provide financial aid for funeral costs. Visit the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph website for details.

Jewish Federation of St. Louis: Offers support for Jewish families in need of funeral assistance. Learn more at Jewish Federation St. Louis.

Local Churches and Religious Organizations: Many churches, synagogues, and mosques 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 can help families 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 Missouri

See also: Funeral Expense Help by State