Funeral expenses can create financial stress for families, but Nebraska offers a variety of resources to assist. This guide provides information about state, federal, local, and nonprofit programs, along with religious and cultural support and crowdfunding options available in Nebraska.
Government Funeral Funding Programs
Here are funeral cost assistance programs at the federal, state, and county levels.
Nebraska State Programs
Nebraska provides assistance programs for families struggling to afford funeral costs:
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Burial Assistance: Offers financial assistance for burial or cremation expenses for low-income families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or other state benefits. Visit Nebraska DHHS for more information.
- Indigent Burial Programs: Counties in Nebraska manage burial programs for unclaimed or indigent individuals. Contact your local county office or refer to How to help funeral expenses help at the county level for details.
Federal Assistance Programs
Federal programs that can assist Nebraska residents include:
- Social Security Death Benefit: Provides a one-time $255 payment to eligible survivors. Learn more at Social Security Administration.
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Burial Benefits: Veterans and their families may qualify for funeral and burial allowances, including cemetery plot coverage. Visit VA Burial Benefits to learn more.
Local and County Assistance Programs
Nebraska counties often provide local support for funeral costs. Examples include:
- Douglas County Burial Assistance Program: Offers aid for burial or cremation expenses for unclaimed or low-income individuals. Visit Douglas County Services.
- Lancaster County Funeral Assistance: Provides support to families in financial need. Learn more at Lancaster County Resources.
- Sarpy County Indigent Burial Program: Covers cremation or burial costs for qualifying residents. Visit Sarpy County Services.
Learn more: How to help funeral expenses help at the county level.
Nonprofit Funeral Assistance Programs
Several nonprofit organizations offer support for funeral expenses in Nebraska:
- Catholic Charities of Omaha: Provides financial aid for funeral costs to low-income families. Visit Catholic Charities Nebraska.
- Salvation Army Nebraska: Offers emergency financial aid for funeral expenses. Visit Salvation Army Nebraska.
- United Way of the Midlands: Connects families with resources for funeral assistance. Dial 2-1-1 or visit United Way Nebraska.
See also: Charities that offer funeral financial assistance.
Religious and Cultural Organizations
Religious and cultural organizations in Nebraska may provide funeral support to their members. Examples include:
- Archdiocese of Omaha: Catholic parishes may offer emergency financial aid for funeral expenses. Visit Archdiocese of Omaha.
- Jewish Federation of Omaha: Provides financial aid for Jewish families in need of funeral support. Learn more at Jewish Federation Omaha.
- Search for a Local Church: Catholic, Protestant: Use online directories to locate nearby churches offering assistance. Visit Catholic Directory or The Gospel Coalition.
Crowdfunding Options
Crowdfunding platforms allow families to raise funds for funeral expenses from their community. Options include:
- GoFundMe: Create and share a funeral fundraiser. Visit GoFundMe.
- FundRazr: Another crowdfunding platform for personal fundraising. Visit FundRazr.
Resources Table: Funeral Assistance in Nebraska
| Resource | Type of Assistance | Eligibility | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska DHHS Burial Assistance | Financial support for burial costs | Low-income families | Visit Nebraska DHHS |
| 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 Omaha | Financial aid for funeral costs | Low-income families | Visit Catholic Charities Nebraska |
| Salvation Army Nebraska | Emergency funeral cost assistance | Families in crisis | Visit Salvation Army Nebraska |
| United Way of the Midlands | Connects families with resources | Open to all | Visit United Way Nebraska |
| Douglas County Burial Assistance Program | Funeral expense support | Indigent residents | Visit Douglas County Services |
| Lancaster County Funeral Assistance | Burial or cremation cost support | Low-income families | Visit Lancaster County Resources |
| Sarpy County Indigent Burial Program | Funeral assistance for indigent cases | County-determined | Visit Sarpy County Services |
| Archdiocese of Omaha | Emergency aid for funeral costs | Members of Catholic parishes | Visit Archdiocese of Omaha |
| Jewish Federation of Omaha | Funeral cost support | Jewish families in need | Visit Jewish Federation Omaha |
| 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.
