Woonsocket Mayor Details FEMA Funeral Reimbursement

WOONSOCKET, RI — Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt detailed Monday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering financial assistance for eligible funeral expenses incurred for deaths related to COVID-19.

Baldelli-Hunt is encouraging eligible Woonsocket families to apply for the assistance being offered by calling the FEMA Funeral Assistance Line at 844-684-6333 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

"It has been hard enough for our Woonsocket residents to emotionally cope with the loss of a loved one due to the COVID-19 virus but adding the financial burden of a funeral has made that loss even more difficult to bear," said Baldelli-Hunt in a statement. "This FEMA program will help ease some of their financial stress."

Applicants will be required to submit documents to FEMA regarding cause of death and the amount of funeral expenses they incurred. Assistance is limited to $9,000 per burial and annual income is not considered. There is currently no application deadline.

"I urge our residents who incurred funeral expenses due to a COVID-19 death to call FEMA for financial relief," said the mayor. "Also, if any of our residents know of family or friends who paid for COVID-19 related funeral costs they should reach out and tell them about the FEMA program."

More information about the program can be found here.