FEMA offers funeral assistance for families of COVID-19 victims

SALT LAKE CITY — The Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) is offering assistance of up to $9,000 to help with funeral expenses for families of those who have died from COVID-19 .  The program went into effect April 12th. It covers any deaths from the disease going back to January of 2020.

Laura Procunier, the president of the Utah Funeral Directors Association, says many of the group’s members will be reaching out to families they’ve served during the pandemic with information.

“Our plan is to contact those families to let them know, if they’re unaware of it, to let them know.”

She believes it will be especially helpful in families that have had more than one death during the pandemic. Some paperwork will be required of families who apply, but Procunier says there’s one key fact that determines who can get the assistance from FEMA.

“If you have had a death and it says COVID on the death certificate, they’re eligible for it.”

Families are urged to apply for the assistance directly through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA says they have received reports of fraudsters telling family members they could apply through a third party, but would be required to pay a fee. No fee is required from people applying directly through the agency.

As of Monday, April 12th, the state Department of Health says 2,159 people have died from COVID-19 in Utah.

 

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