What to Do If You Can't Afford a Funeral

Key points

Tell the funeral home about your budget at the start. Ask for their lowest-cost option — usually direct cremation.
Check for benefits before signing anything, especially veterans benefits and county burial assistance, which often must be approved before arrangements are made.
In most states, family members are not personally responsible for a relative's funeral debts unless they sign a contract agreeing to pay. Ask an attorney if you're unsure about your state.

Start with the lowest-cost arrangement

Direct cremation is usually the least expensive option. Direct burial avoids embalming and viewing costs but still involves cemetery charges. A memorial gathering can take place later at a home, place of worship or park. See affordable funeral options.

Call two or three funeral homes and ask for their direct cremation price. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, they must give you prices over the phone. Prices for the same service can vary considerably.

Check benefits and programs

Veterans: eligible veterans can be buried in a VA national cemetery at no cost for the grave, opening and closing, liner and marker. Some families also qualify for a burial allowance.
Social Security: a $255 lump-sum death payment to an eligible surviving spouse or child.
County or city assistance: many counties pay for a basic cremation or burial when the family can't. Contact the county social or human services department before making arrangements; programs often won't pay if a contract has already been signed.
Crime victim compensation: if the death was caused by a violent crime.
FEMA: if the death was caused by a federally declared disaster.
Workers' compensation: if the death was work-related.

Details are in government benefits for funeral expenses.

Look for money the person left

Life insurance, including group life insurance through an employer or union
A preneed contract or burial insurance policy
A payable-on-death bank account naming you or another relative
The person's estate: funeral expenses generally have priority among debts paid from an estate, though the process varies by state

Some funeral homes accept an assignment of life insurance, where the insurer pays the funeral home directly from the policy proceeds.

Whole-body donation

Some medical school programs accept whole-body donations and cover transportation and cremation, returning remains later. However, programs can decline a donation at the time of death, and many require pre-registration, so it is not a guaranteed solution in an emergency. Ask the program directly.

Community help

Faith communities often help members with funeral costs or offer a free venue and reception.
Fraternal organizations and unions sometimes offer death benefits.
Crowdfunding can help some families; be aware that platforms may take fees and that funds can take time to arrive.

Talking to the funeral home

Be upfront: "We have about $X. What can you do within that?"
Ask what is required and what is optional.
Ask about payment plans and whether they accept insurance assignments.
Don't feel pressured to add items to show respect. A simple arrangement is respectful.

If no one can pay

If no family member can or will pay, and no program applies, the county or state where the person died is usually responsible for disposition, typically by cremation or burial in a public cemetery. Rules on notifying next of kin and on whether the family can later receive cremated remains vary by place. Contact the county's social services department or the medical examiner or coroner's office to understand local procedures.

Planning ahead can spare your own family this situation. See planning ahead.

Sources and references

Federal Trade Commission: Shopping for Funeral Services
Social Security Administration: Survivors Benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Burials and memorials
Federal Emergency Management Agency: Individuals and Households Program
National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards: Crime victim compensation programs by state

Rules, benefit amounts and prices change. Where a source is a government agency, check it directly for current figures. See our sources and fact-checking policy.

This guide is general educational information from Serene Farewells, an independent publisher. It is not legal, medical, financial or tax advice, and Serene Farewells is not a funeral provider. Laws and prices vary by state and provider. Spot an error? Tell us.