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Many Americans have had to bury family members and loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in addition to being emotionally taxing, funerals are also extremely expensive. But there will soon be assistance from the federal government on recuperating some of the financial cost.

According to the CDC, more than 559,000 Americans have lost their lives either due directly to COVID-19 or from complications from the virus. Worldwide, the death toll grows to 2.89 million. Even though vaccinations are on the rise and cases of COVID-19 appear to be on the wane in most places, that doesn't help those who have already passed away.

However, if you’ve had to bury a loved one who passed away from COVID-19, you could qualify to have funeral costs reimbursed by the federal government. That’s according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.

FEMA says funds for funeral expense reimbursement will be provided by the American Rescue Plan passed in March 2021. FEMA will begin accepting applications for the program on Monday, April 12th. You can begin applying on that date by calling the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number: 844-684-6333.

Their website also says, "Additional guidance is being finalized and will be released to potential applicants and community partners as soon as possible. In the meantime, people who have COVID-19 funeral expenses are encouraged to keep and gather documentation."

In order to qualify, you must be able to prove that a loved one passed away from COVID-19 through a death certificate, and you must also provide funeral expense documentation.

FEMA says they are unable to provide assistance if benefits have already been received from burial or funeral insurance, or from financial assistance from other local, state, or government programs.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

MORE TO EXPLORE: See the the COVID-19 stimulus bill broken down by the numbers

 

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