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Burial Assistance
Notice
The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) has settled a lawsuit against R.G. Ortiz Funeral Homes Inc. As a result, a Consumer Restitution Fund has been set up and is being held by DCWP. If you believe you may be entitled to restitution due to funeral services provided by R. Ortiz, please go to https://www.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-a-claim-rg-ortiz.page for more information.
See Consumer Tips When Working With a Funeral Home for additional information.
Background
The Human Resources Administration (HRA) Office of Burial Services (OBS) assists individuals in need of financial assistance to meet funeral expenses for a deceased low-income New York City resident (decedent). Payment may be authorized to reimburse funeral expenses that have already been paid or pre-approval for payment may be authorized for the cost of a planned funeral.
For information on funeral assistance and resources for COVID-19 related deaths, see COVID-19 Resources below.
Burial Services Brochure
This brochure summarizes how HRA’s Office of Burial Services (OBS) can provide financial assistance to help you meet the funeral expenses for a deceased low-income New York City resident. This can apply to either funeral expenses that have already been paid, or pre-approval for the cost of a planned funeral.
Open the Burial Services Outreach Brochure:
What can be covered
OBS can pay up to a maximum amount of $1,700 towards the cost of a funeral bill for a decedent's final disposition (which includes burial, cremation or burying of cremation ashes) to the decedent's relative, friend, Organizational Friend or authorized representative.
In the event, the funeral bill exceeds $3,400, the cost of the burial plot, grave opening or cremation will be deducted from the total bill. If the remaining bill amount is less than $3,400, a burial allowance will be approved.
Eligibility
The burial allowance is available to low-income decedents that do not have resources or assets available to pay for their funeral. Proof of low-income status may include receipt of social services benefits or public assistance from HRA such as cash assistance, supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits, or social security benefits including supplemental security income (SSI).
A legally responsible relative (a spouse or parent of a deceased minor under age twenty-one (21)) that applies for the allowance must also be unable to pay the funeral bill and meet the low-income eligibility criteria to qualify.
To determine eligibility, an application must be submitted and OBS will assess the individual circumstances of each case.
Burial Allowance Application Process
To apply
The applicant who is responsible for the funeral arrangements or his/her representative must file a burial allowance application with the Office of Burial Services within one hundred-twenty (120) days from the date of the decedent's death.
The Burial Allowance application, M-860W, can be obtained by using the above link or by calling the Office of Burial Services to request an application. The application information can be directly entered on the form available on the website.
There are several key documents required, which are outlined below under Supporting Documentation.
Call us through the DSS OneNumber at 718-557-1399 if you need a copy of the application or assistance with completing the online application.
You can also view the M-860W Burial Allowance Application form in:
View the Instructions for the Burial Allowance Application form in:
Supporting documentation
Below is a list of the general documentation needed to begin processing the burial allowance application. We will accept a photo or scanned image of a document via email and we may require a hard copy if the image or photo is not legible. OBS may request additional documents to determine eligibility based upon the facts and circumstances of each case.
- Burial Allowance Application Form M-860W completed and signed by the applicant or authorized representative. See application for details.
- One original certified copy of the Death Certificate (it will be returned to the applicant).
- A copy of the Funeral Contract also known as the Statement of Goods and Services Selected. The contract must be signed by the Funeral Director and by the person that made the funeral arrangements.
- A copy of the cemetery or crematory bill, itemizing all charges.
- Original itemized funeral bill signed by the Funeral Director and notarized in the presence of a Notary Public or Commissioner of Deeds. The funeral bill must be stamped "Paid-in-Full" if the charges have been paid and the applicant is seeking reimbursement.
- Original fully completed Funeral Director's Affidavit forms signed by the Funeral Director and notarized in the presence of a Notary Public or Commissioner of Deeds, if there is money still owed to the funeral establishment. See link to Funeral Director's Affidavit.
Submit Your Application
In-Person or Mail
NYC HRA Office of Burial Services
33-28 Northern Blvd. - 3rd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101
Fax
The application can be faxed to 917-639-0476
The application can be emailed to BurialServices@hra.nyc.gov
Payments
In the case of reimbursement to an individual, to receive a payment you will need a form of identification to verify the name and address of the person receiving the payment from HRA. For payments to an Organizational Friend, funeral home or funeral services provider a W-9 will be required. OBS can assist you with requesting the W-9 information.
For additional information you can reach us through the DSS OneNumber at 718-557-1399. Please leave a message and we will return your call before the end of the next business day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Burial Assistance Frequently Asked Questions provides more detailed guidance about the burial assistance application process.
View the Burial Assistance Frequently Asked Questions in:
Contact the NYC HRA Office of Burial Services (OBS)
- Our office is now located at:
33-28 Northern Blvd. - 3rd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101 - You can email us at: BurialServices@hra.nyc.gov
- You can call us through the DSS OneNumber at: 718-557 1399
- Please leave a message and an OBS staff member will return your call before the end of the next business day.
- We are open to the public Monday-Fridays between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. If your needs cannot be met by ACCESS HRA, call 311 or consult the HRA Locations page for the latest information on center openings.
COVID-19 Resources
FEMA Burial Services Program
- Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
- Visit the FEMA Funeral Assistance website for more information.
Hart Island - the City’s Public Cemetery
Since 1869, Hart Island has been used as a site for public burials and is the final resting place for more than a million souls. In 2021, management of Hart Island was transferred from the NYC Department of Correction to the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation and the NYC Department of Social Services. The City is committed to ensuring that the public has access to the island and has several services available to help individuals find and visit their loved ones on Hart Island. Please visit Hart Island Website for more information on visiting the island and finding a loved one. Families seeking to bury their indigent loved ones on Hart Island should contact the Office of the Chief Medical Officer Outreach Unit at (212) 447-2030 for information and assistance.
Survivors Benefits for Decedent’s Children from the Social Security Administration
Applicants for Burial Assistance should know that surviving children of decedents may be eligible for Survivors Benefits from the Social Security Administration under certain circumstances. The Social Security Administration may provide Survivors Benefits based upon the decedent’s work history to decedent’s unmarried children. Visit Survivors Benefits | SSA to learn more about these benefits and how to apply.