Funeral costs can be overwhelming, but New York State offers various programs and resources to help families manage expenses. This guide covers state, federal, and local assistance programs, nonprofit resources, veterans’ benefits, religious and cultural organizations, and crowdfunding options.
Government Funeral Funding Programs
Here are funeral cost assistance programs at the federal, state, and county levels.
New York State Programs
New York provides state-level programs to assist families with funeral expenses:
- New York State Social Services Burial Assistance: Local Department of Social Services (DSS) offices provide financial assistance for burial or cremation costs for individuals who were receiving public assistance or who meet income eligibility criteria. The amount varies by county. Visit New York State DSS for more details.
- Medicaid Funeral Assistance: Limited funds may be available through Medicaid for eligible individuals. Learn more through your local DSS office.
- New York City Office of Burial Services: Provides burial assistance for qualifying low-income families, offering up to $1,700 in funeral cost aid, provided total funeral expenses do not exceed $3,400. Visit NYC Office of Burial Services for details.
Federal Assistance Programs
Federal programs that assist New York 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 York counties and cities often provide additional funeral cost assistance. Examples include:
- Westchester County Funeral Assistance: Offers financial aid for burial or cremation expenses for indigent residents. Learn more at Westchester County DSS.
- Erie County Burial Program: Provides burial or cremation assistance for low-income families. Visit Erie County DSS.
- Monroe County Indigent Burial Program: Covers basic burial or cremation costs for qualifying individuals. Visit Monroe County Resources.
Learn more: How to help funeral expenses help at the county level.
Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs
Several nonprofit organizations in New York provide support for funeral expenses:
- Catholic Charities of New York: Offers emergency financial assistance for funeral costs to low-income families. Visit Catholic Charities NY.
- Salvation Army Greater New York Division: Provides emergency financial aid for funeral-related expenses. Visit Salvation Army NY.
- United Way of New York State: Connects families with local resources for funeral assistance. Dial 2-1-1 or visit United Way NY.
See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.
Religious and Cultural Organizations
Religious and cultural organizations in New York may provide funeral support. Examples include:
- Archdiocese of New York: Catholic parishes may offer financial assistance for funeral expenses. Visit Archdiocese of New York.
- Jewish Federation of Greater New York: Offers support for Jewish families in need of funeral assistance. Learn more at UJA Federation NY.
- 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 York State
| Resource | Type of Assistance | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York State DSS Burial Assistance | Funeral cost aid for low-income families | County-determined | Visit NYS DSS |
| NYC Office of Burial Services | Up to $1,700 for funeral costs | Low-income NYC residents | Visit NYC Office of Burial Services |
| 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 New York | Financial aid for funeral costs | Low-income families | Visit Catholic Charities NY |
| Salvation Army Greater New York Division | Emergency funeral cost assistance | Families in crisis | Visit Salvation Army NY |
| United Way of New York State | Connects families with resources | Open to all | Visit United Way NY |
| Westchester County Funeral Assistance | Burial or cremation cost support | Indigent residents | Visit Westchester County DSS |
| Erie County Burial Program | Funeral expense support | Low-income families | Visit Erie County DSS |
| Monroe County Indigent Burial Program | Funeral assistance for indigent cases | County-determined | Visit Monroe County Resources |
| Archdiocese of New York | Emergency aid for funeral costs | Members of Catholic parishes | Visit Archdiocese of New York |
| UJA Federation of New York | Funeral cost support | Jewish families in need | Visit UJA Federation NY |
| 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.
