Who Can Help Pay for a Funeral in Tennessee

Funeral expenses can place a significant financial burden on families, but Tennessee offers various resources and programs to help manage these costs. This guide outlines state, federal, and local assistance programs, nonprofit resources, veterans’ benefits, religious and cultural organizations, and crowdfunding options available to Tennessee residents.

Government Funeral Funding Programs

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

Tennessee State Programs

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

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

Federal Assistance Programs

Federal programs available to Tennessee 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 resulting from federally declared natural disasters. Visit the FEMA website for eligibility details.
• Veterans Affairs (VA) Burial Benefits: Eligible veterans and their families may qualify for burial allowances, cemetery plot coverage, and funeral expense reimbursements. Visit VA Burial Benefits for details.

Veterans Funeral Assistance

Veterans and their families in Tennessee have access to specialized funeral benefits:

• VA Burial Benefits: Includes coverage for burial costs, a government-provided headstone or marker, and interment in a national cemetery. Learn more at VA Burial Benefits.
• Tennessee State Veterans Cemeteries: The state operates multiple veterans cemeteries, including locations in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, offering burial services to eligible veterans and their families at little or no cost. Visit the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services website for more information.

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

Local and County Assistance Programs

Tennessee counties may offer additional assistance with funeral expenses. Examples include:

• Shelby County Burial Assistance: Provides financial aid for burial or cremation expenses for indigent residents. Contact the Shelby County Department of Social Services for more details.
• Davidson County Indigent Burial Program: Covers basic burial or cremation costs for low-income individuals. Contact the Davidson County Clerk’s Office for information.
• Knox County Funeral Assistance: Offers limited funeral cost assistance for indigent residents. Contact Knox County Social Services for more details.

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

Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs

Several nonprofit organizations in Tennessee provide support for funeral expenses:

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

See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.

Religious and Cultural Organizations

Religious and cultural organizations in Tennessee may provide funeral assistance. Examples include:

• Catholic Diocese of Nashville: Catholic parishes may provide financial aid for funeral costs. Visit the Diocese of Nashville website for more details.
• Jewish Federation of Nashville and Middle Tennessee: Offers funeral assistance for Jewish families in need. Learn more at Jewish Federation Nashville.
• 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 Tennessee

See also: Funeral Expense Help by State