9 Charities and Churches That Help With Funeral Expenses

The rising cost of funerals, which can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, often leaves grieving families struggling to find a way to honor their loved ones respectfully and affordably.

Many people are unaware that churches and nonprofit organizations often offer financial assistance, practical support, and emotional guidance during these difficult times. These programs are typically designed to ensure that everyone receives a dignified farewell, even when budgets are tight.

Do Churches Help With Funeral Costs?

Often yes, but not always. Church funerals may have some costs reduced (venue, staff) while other fees (casket, cemetery, clergy honorarium, reception, funeral home services) may remain. The total cost depends on options and local practices.

Average Funeral Costs Breakdown These Days

To understand the financial hardships families face, consider these average expenses in the United States:

• Funeral services: A traditional funeral service with a wake and burial costs an average of $7,848, according to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA).
• Cremation services: Cremation is slightly less expensive, averaging $6,970 for a wake and cremation ceremony.
• Burial costs: A burial plot can cost between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the location and type of cemetery.
• Caskets: One of the most significant expenses; caskets range from $2,000 for a standard model to over $10,000 for high-end designs.
• Additional fees: Funeral homes may charge administrative, embalming, and transportation fees, adding between $1,000 and $3,000 to the total.

These figures can vary considerably depending on the region, the services chosen, and specific cultural or religious practices. For low-income families or those facing unexpected losses, these costs are often unaffordable, forcing them to make difficult choices or seek outside help.

Charities and Churches That Help With Funeral Expenses

These organizations help cover funeral services, burial plots, caskets, cremation costs, and even memorial ceremonies, offering a compassionate hand when it is most needed.

The Final Farewell Organization

Final Farewell is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance, counseling, and guidance to families who have lost a child. We understand the devastating emotional and financial impact of losing a child and strive to alleviate some of the burdens families face during this difficult time.

Eligibility Requirements

Final Farewell offers financial assistance to families with a deceased child under the age of 18. They provide counseling and guidance to all families, regardless of the deceased child’s age.

Final Farewell assesses each family’s needs individually. In the most vulnerable cases, families may receive complete funeral services, including burial, at no cost.

To apply for assistance, families can complete the online form on the Final Farewell website. The form requires information about the family’s circumstances and the deceased child.

Contact number: +1 215 870-8110 or Email them here

The TEARS Foundation

The TEARS Foundation offers financial assistance for funeral expenses and emotional support to families who have lost a baby due to stillbirth, miscarriage, or premature death.

Eligibility Requirements

The TEARS Foundation offers several programs with different eligibility requirements:

• Infant Funeral Assistance: This program helps families who have lost a child between 20 weeks of gestation and one year of age.
• Cali’s Gift: This program is specifically for families who have lost a child between the ages of 13 and 22 due to drug-related causes or suicide.
• Angel of Hope: This program supports families who have lost a child between the ages of 1 and 12 due to an unexpected death, such as an accident, Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Syndrome (SUDS), homicide, or suicide.
• Jesse’s Scholarship: This program is for families who have lost a child between 20 weeks of gestation and one year of age. A flat granite headstone may be provided and is only available to residents of certain areas.

The amount of assistance varies depending on the program:

Funeral Assistance for Infants: Provides up to $500 for funeral services or $250 for cremation.

Angel of Hope: Provides up to $500.
Jesse Scholarship: May provide a flat granite headstone.

In addition to financial assistance, the TEARS Foundation offers emotional support programs to help families cope with the loss of a child. These programs include:

Support Groups: The TEARS Foundation facilitates free support groups for grieving families, providing a safe and supportive space to connect with others who have experienced similar losses.

Memorial Events: They organize walks and memorial events to honor the memory of deceased children. Child Loss Center: The TEARS Foundation has established centers in several locations that offer a supportive space for grieving families, professionals, and community members to receive compassionate support and resources. Application Process

Families can apply for assistance by completing the online application form on the TEARS Foundation website. They can also submit the application by email or fax. Required documents include the completed application form, a detailed statement of services provided, and a copy of the death certificate or fetal death certificate.

Contact number: +1 215 870-8110 or Email them here

Catholic Charities USA (and local diocesan branches)

Many local dioceses offer burial or funeral assistance to families who cannot afford a burial or cremation. Services typically include low-cost or subsidized burials or cremations, help with funeral home or cemetery fees, and the arrangement of dignified funeral services for deceased loved ones.

Who may qualify?

Low-income families, people without health insurance, people who cannot afford typical funeral expenses, or those who lack support from a close relative. Eligibility depends on local parish or diocesan policies.

In some dioceses, the program partners with local funeral homes to offer burial or cremation services at reduced rates. They may cover transportation of the body or ashes, burial in the grave, paperwork (death certificate), and basic services such as graveside religious rites. Families may be asked to pay what they can, and voluntary donations help subsidize the remainder.

Contact Number: 703-549-1390 or Email them here.

Funeral Consumers Alliance

The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) is a nonprofit organization that helps people find affordable funeral options. It offers educational resources and advocates for consumer rights in the funeral industry. Unlike the other charities mentioned in this article, the FCA does not offer direct financial assistance. Instead, it focuses on empowering consumers with knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about funeral arrangements.

Eligibility Requirements

Anyone can become a member of the Funeral Consumers Alliance.

The FCA does not directly fund funerals. However, it helps people save money by providing information about affordable funeral options, such as direct cremation and memorial services, and by negotiating discounts with funeral homes.

Application Process

To become a member, you can complete the membership application on the FCA website or contact your local affiliate. Membership fees may vary depending on the local affiliate.

Contact number: 802-865-8300 or Email theme here

Children’s Burial Assistance, Inc. (CBA)

Children’s Burial Assistance, Inc. (CBA) offers free or subsidized funeral services for infants and children. This may include donated plots, caskets or urns, vaults or headstones, and coverage (full or partial) of infant funeral or cremation expenses.

Who qualifies?

Families who have lost a child (generally from the fetal stage or infancy up to a defined age in childhood). Assistance is generally reserved for infant bereavement and not for adult funerals.

Contact Number: (980) 480-8282 or Email them Here

The Hebrew Free Burial Association

The Hebrew Free Burial Association provides free funeral services to Jewish individuals and families who cannot afford funeral expenses. They are committed to ensuring that every Jewish person, regardless of their financial situation, receives a dignified burial according to Jewish tradition.

Eligibility Requirements

The deceased and their immediate family must have Medicaid or lower to qualify for assistance. This ensures that their services reach those most in need within the Jewish community.

The Hebrew Free Burial Association covers the full cost of a traditional Jewish burial, including the funeral service, transportation, and burial plot.

Individuals can apply for assistance by contacting the Free Burial Association directly. The application process may involve submitting documentation that verifies the family’s financial situation and the deceased’s eligibility.

Funeral Service Foundation

The Funeral Services Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports the funeral profession and provides resources to grieving communities. It offers scholarships and grants to those seeking careers in funeral services and support programs for bereaved families.

• They offer scholarships to students pursuing studies in mortuary science and to those seeking continuing education in funeral services.
• They provide grants to funeral homes and organizations that offer bereavement support programs and other services to grieving families.
• They offer financial assistance to funeral service professionals and communities affected by disasters.

Contact number: (877) 402-5900 or Email them here

FEMA Disaster Funeral Assistance

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides financial assistance to individuals and households affected by disasters, including funeral expense assistance. FEMA’s Funeral Expense Assistance program is designed to help those who have suffered a death due to a federally declared disaster.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for FEMA assistance, individuals must meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen, foreign national, or qualified alien.
• Live in a disaster area declared by the President.
• Have unmet needs after receiving insurance or other forms of disaster assistance.

FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) provides financial assistance for necessary expenses and critical needs caused by a disaster. The maximum IHP assistance amount is $42,500 for housing assistance and $42,500 for assistance for other needs. The specific funeral expense assistance amount may be lower and depends on individual circumstances.

People can apply for FEMA assistance online, through the FEMA app, by phone, or in person at a Disaster Recovery Center. The application process involves providing information about disaster-related damages, funeral expenses, and insurance coverage.

Also read: Charities That Help Hoarders

Other Organizations and Community Charities

In addition to national or high-profile nonprofits, many local churches, religious organizations, community charities, and faith groups offer funeral or burial assistance. These may include volunteer-run ministries, local charitable funds, or denominational support networks. Their help may consist of partial financial support, referrals to low-cost funeral homes, or logistical and emotional support.

Conclusion

Funeral expenses can be a financial burden for many low-income families, especially those already struggling financially or who have suffered an unexpected loss and debts. The charities and government programs described in this article offer a variety of support options, from direct financial assistance to guidance in finding affordable funeral services.

When finding funeral assistance, it is crucial to research each program’s eligibility requirements and application processes to determine which options are best suited to your circumstances. Many programs have specific criteria, such as income limits or residency requirements, and some may prioritize certain groups, such as families who have lost children or victims of disasters.