Financial Resources – Funeral Consumers Alliance of Maryland & Environs

The following represents all of the resources FCAME is aware of that provide financial assistance for funeral and burial expenses.

A list of additional resources is available from the national Funeral Consumers Alliance: Financial Assistance for Final Arrangements

Please note that FCAME does not provide financial assistance for funerals. Our organization depends on volunteer support and member donations, and so has very limited resources. Additionally, FCAME does not have arrangements with any funeral service providers to offer discounts to its members. Learn more about our mission and policies.

Veteran’s benefits:

Service members and veterans may qualify for various burial benefits and memorial items. These may include a gravesite in a national cemetery with available space; opening and closing of the grave; a burial liner provided by the government; a simple government headstone; a burial flag; and a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

Other government benefits:

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, a government agency, may pay a modest lump-sum death benefit to help defray funeral expenses for railroad employees or retirees.

There is a one-time $255 lump-sum Social Security survivor’s benefit paid to an eligible spouse or to one child, if there is no surviving spouse, which may help with funeral expenses. The funeral home will generally report a death to the SSA, or you can call 1-800-772-1213 to notify the SSA after the death. Review the Social Security website for more information about survivor benefits.
Survivors of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders killed in the line of duty may be eligible for funeral benefits. Contact your state or local government or the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program for more information.
Find out more about government death benefits by visiting the USA.gov Benefit Finder.

Options for people with little or no financial resources

For Washington, DC residents, the DC Department of Human Services offers a Burial Assistance Program that provides modest financial assistance toward the funeral expenses of low-income residents who qualify. The burial or cremation must be arranged through a contract funeral home, and payment is made directly to the funeral home.
For Maryland residents, the Department of Human Services offers a Burial assistance program which provides limited financial help with funeral expenses when their families cannot afford funeral costs. To be eligible, the deceased person must have been a recipient of Public Assistance.
For Delaware residents, the Delaware Division of Social Services offers burial in a state pauper cemetery for the truly indigent whose families cannot afford burial. To find out more about eligibility, call 211 or visit Delaware211.org.

Crime victims:

Every state has a crime victim compensation program which may provide substantial assistance to crime victims and their families, including funeral and burial expenses. Visit the state website to determine eligibility and benefits offered.

Religious resources:

Local churches, synagogues, and mosques may provide financial help for funerals of their members. Reach out to the administrative office of your house of worship to find out more.

Catholic resources: Catholic Charities USA has a network of agencies nationwide that provide a broad array of services and assistance. Contact your local agency to learn whether they can offer assistance with funeral and burial costs.

Jewish resources: The Hebrew Free Burial Society takes care of burial arrangements for indigent Jews who cannot afford a traditional Jewish funeral. They also perform ritual washing of the body. The Jewish Chaplaincy Service of JSSA (the Jewish Social Service Agency) provides Rabbinic coverage for these funerals, which are conducted at the Chesed Shel Emes Cemetery in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Phone: 301-762-2825 (as of 2025).