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If you had a loved one die from COVID-19, you may be eligible for the reimbursement of their funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently taking applications for funeral costs that were acquired after January 20th, 2020, from a person who passed away from COVID-19 in the United States or a territory of the United States. The purchase of a casket, urn, headstone, burial plot, cremation, interment of ashes, and or transfer of remains are all eligible for reimbursement.

Qualified applicants may receive up to $9,000 per funeral as long as their total reimbursement does not exceed $35,500. Documents needed include a death certificate that lists the likely cause of death as COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms as well as receipts of the funeral expenses. To apply, call FEMA at 844-684-6333 to begin the 20-minute application process. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Once you have received your application number, you may send the necessary documentation online, by mail, or by fax. For more information about this reimbursement opportunity, click here.

With COVID-19 remaining a global pandemic, now is the time to begin thinking about and creating your estate plan. Estate planning may seem complicated, but it guarantees that your wishes are respected and followed. In the unfortunate circumstance that you were diagnosed with COVID-19 and became incapacitated or lost your life, who would be making decisions about things like your medical care or your finances? With an estate plan in place, you would be able to answer that question by appointing people to these critical roles. An Advanced Health Care Directive would ensure that a trusted agent would make decisions about and fight for your medical care up until your final moments. Your appointed Power of Attorney would manage your financial affairs and make decisions about your assets. Even just having a Will would allow you to name a guardian(s) for any minor children that you may have. Having these components of an estate plan put into place could make a world of difference.

An estate plan can also save your friends and family from unnecessary expenses, stress, and worry. If you would become incapacitated or die from COVID-19 without an estate plan in place, your important affairs may be managed in a way that you wouldn’t be satisfied with. With the uncertainty that COVID-19 still brings to our world, disaster could strike at a moment’s notice. To ensure that you have a plan in place when you need it, we encourage you to start your estate plan today. You and your loved ones will have peace of mind knowing that things are taken care of in the way that you want them to be.

If you would like more information about estate planning, consider attending one of our Estate Planning Webinars or Workshops. These workshops are free and answer all of the questions that you have about the process of estate planning. You can also call us at 877-585-1885 or send an email to [email protected].

​Christopher E. Botti,
​Esq., Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law