The full list
What each agency says, in its own words. A dollar amount appears only where the agency publishes one.
Social Security lump-sum death payment
Social Security Administration
“A spouse might get a one-time death benefit payment of $255. If there’s no spouse, some children may be eligible, including those who are: Age 17 or younger, or, Ages 18–19 and in school (K–12) full time or, Any age if they developed a disability at age 21 or younger.”
“You must apply for this payment within 2 years of the family member’s death.”
How to ask: call and “Tell the representative you want to apply for a lump-sum death payment.” TTY 1-800-325-0778.
Call 1-800-772-1213
Source: ssa.gov, Lump-sum death payment, read October 26, 2026 (the page shows no update date).
VA burial allowance and plot allowance
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- $2,000most VA pays for a service-connected death, “If the Veteran died on or after September 11, 2001” ($1,500 before that date)
- $1,032death not service-connected, “If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2026”: “We’ll pay a $1,032 burial allowance and $1,032 for a plot”
- $1,002death not service-connected, “If the Veteran died on or after October 1, 2025”: “We’ll pay a $1,002 burial allowance and $1,002 for a plot”
“You may be eligible for Veterans burial allowances if you’re paying for the burial and funeral costs and you won’t be reimbursed by any other organization, like another government agency or the Veteran’s employer.”
“The Veteran must not have received a dishonorable discharge, and 1 of these circumstances must be true”: for example, “The Veteran died as a result of a service-connected disability”, “The Veteran died while getting VA care”, or “The Veteran died while receiving a VA pension or compensation”. VA lists the rest on its page.
“We provide burial benefits for all legal burial types, including cremation and burial at sea. We also provide burial benefits for donating the Veteran’s remains to a medical school.”
For a surviving spouse: “No, you don’t need to file a claim as a surviving spouse, as long as you’re listed as the Veteran’s spouse on the Veteran’s profile.”
When: “There’s no time limit if the Veteran’s death was service connected and you’re claiming the burial or transportation allowance.” If it was not: “You must file a claim within 2 years after the Veteran’s burial, unless 1 of these is true” (VA lists the exceptions).
How to ask: “You can apply online or by mail”, on VA Form 21P-530EZ. VA’s line is open “Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET” (TTY 711).
Call 1-800-827-1000
Source: va.gov, Veterans burial allowance and transportation benefits, read October 26, 2026 (page last updated October 7, 2026).
VA national cemetery, headstone and burial flag
VA National Cemetery Administration
No dollar amount: these are given, not paid out.
“Burial and memorial benefits available include a gravesite in any VA national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone, marker, or medallion, Presidential Memorial Certificates, and a burial flag all at no cost to the family.”
“The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no charge to the applicant, a government headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of an eligible Veteran in any cemetery around the world, regardless of their date of death.”
“A Veteran’s spouse, widow or widower, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities may also be eligible for burial.”
The flag: “We provide a United States flag to drape on a casket (or coffin) or place with an urn in honor of the military service of a Veteran or Reservist.” Bring VA Form 27-2008 to “A funeral director”, “A VA regional office”, or “A United States post office.”
Sources: cem.va.gov, Burial and Memorial Benefits (page last updated February 20, 2026); va.gov, Burial flags (page last updated October 30, 2024). Both read October 26, 2026.
Colorado Burial Assistance Program
Your county department of human services (Colorado Department of Human Services program)
- $1,500“The maximum 2024 Burial grant is $1,500.” Ask the county whether it has changed.
- $2,500“The total cost of the burial or cremation services cannot exceed $2,500.”
“The burial assistance program provides payments to providers for burial and cremation services of low-income Coloradans.”
“A person must have been receiving public assistance and/or medical assistance at the time of death.” That means “Colorado Works (CW), Medicaid, and/or Adult Financial (AF) programs.”
“The person’s assets and assistance from the family members are considered.” “Payment for the burial or cremation services is made directly to the provider(s) of the service.”
How to ask: the county “Determines eligibility and processes applications for the program.” Find your county office: Contact your county human services department. Ask before you sign with a funeral home.
Source: cdhs.colorado.gov, Adult Financial Programs (Burial Assistance Program), read October 26, 2026 (the page shows no update date).
Outside Colorado: your county human services office
The county or state social services office where the person lived
No amount is published nationally. Ask your county human services office whether it helps with a burial or cremation when the family cannot pay.
“Contact your state social service agency for information about state benefit programs and more.”
Source: usa.gov, State social service agencies, read October 26, 2026.
Colorado Crime Victim Compensation, if the death came from a crime
The victim compensation program in the judicial district where the crime happened (Colorado Division of Criminal Justice)
The state page publishes no funeral amount. Ask the program in your judicial district.
You may apply if: “You or your family member were physically, mentally or emotionally injured or died as a result of a crime that happened in Colorado after July 1, 1982.” What it may help with includes “Funeral and Burial”.
“The crime was reported to the police / sheriff department OR there is documentation that a forensic examination was conducted by a licensed or registered nurse or medical provider.”
“Colorado law requires you, or your family members, to apply to the victim compensation program in the judicial district where the crime occurred. If you do not know what judicial district the crime occurred in, you can call the police or sheriff’s department where the crime was reported and ask.”
Source: dcj.colorado.gov, Crime Victim Compensation (each district’s contact is listed there), read October 26, 2026 (the page shows no update date).
Your rights at the funeral home: the FTC Funeral Rule
Federal Trade Commission. For everyone, in every state.
Not money: rights that can lower the bill.
“Buy only the funeral arrangements you want. You have the right to buy separate goods (such as caskets) and services (such as embalming or a memorial service). You do not have to accept a package that may include items you do not want.”
“Get a written, itemized price list when you visit a funeral home. The funeral home must give you a General Price List (GPL) that is yours to keep.”
“The funeral provider cannot refuse to handle a casket or urn you bought online, at a local casket store, or somewhere else — or charge you a fee to do it.”
“Funeral directors must give you price information on the telephone if you ask for it. You don’t have to give them your name, address, or telephone number first.”
Source: consumer.ftc.gov, The FTC Funeral Rule, read October 26, 2026 (the article is dated July 2012).
Check your funeral bill against the rule →
FEMA funeral assistance: only after a declared disaster
Federal Emergency Management Agency
No amount published here. COVID-19 funeral assistance is closed.
COVID-19: “Now Closed: Period to Apply for Disaster Assistance”. “Please note that the deadline to apply for Funeral Assistance has passed and FEMA is no longer accepting new applications for COVID-19 Assistance.”
Other disasters: “Funeral Assistance: Money to help you pay for funeral or reburial expenses caused by the disaster.”
“Your expenses and serious needs must be directly caused by a federally declared disaster.”
Sources: fema.gov, COVID-19 Funeral Assistance (page last updated February 24, 2026); fema.gov, What assistance does FEMA provide? (last updated April 16, 2025); fema.gov, Individuals and Households Program fact sheet (released November 19, 2025). All read October 26, 2026.
Body donation to a medical school
In Colorado: the Anatomical Board of the State of Colorado, at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Some families choose this and some do not. It is a gift, not a payment, and it is not always accepted.
“Alternately, a spouse or legal next of kin can make a donation after death.”
“The determination of the acceptability of the body or donation can only be made at the time of death, since the cause of the death may render the donation unusable for study.”
“Does the Anatomical Board pay anything to me or my family for my body? No.” “The State Anatomical Board will assume transportation costs to deliver a donor to our program within the Denver Metro Area through our contracted mortuary.” “The only other cost to the family or the estate is the cost of the certified Death Certificates”.
“donations will only be accepted if death occurs within Colorado and Wyoming.” Afterward “the remains are cremated”, and “It is possible for ashes to be returned to the donor’s family or a funeral director for private burial.”
For a veteran, VA says: “We also provide burial benefits for donating the Veteran’s remains to a medical school.”
Call the Board, 303-724-2410
Source: medschool.cuanschutz.edu, State Anatomical Board, Frequently Asked Questions, read October 26, 2026 (the page shows no update date).