Funeral Resource Tip Sheet

Maximum allowance through the Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund for funeral, burial and/or cremation assistance is $500.
Along with the completed grant application and Income & Expense Worksheet, an estimate and/or signed final bill must be submitted from the funeral home/mortuary on the agreement of services.
An Income & Expense Worksheet must be completed for the patient (if still living) and current legal spouse (if applicable). If the patient is deceased, the Income & Expense Worksheet must be completed by the person who has signed the funeral home/mortuary agreement of services. If an application is submitted with the patient’s income and expense information and the patient dies prior to grant review, the grant must be resubmitted with income and expense information for the person who is financially responsible for the funeral payment. Financial need will be determined based on this information. In order to comply with IRS guidelines, financial distress must be demonstrated to be eligible for assistance.
Other community agencies/resources should be thoroughly investigated prior to requesting assistance from the Heartland Hospice Memorial Fund. Detailed information related to these efforts must be included on the application.

Has the agency investigated the following resources?

Federal Resources

Social Security Office – SSI benefit for surviving spouse/dependent (generally $255)
Veteran’s Administration – National cemetery plot and burial. No cremation or casket. (Individual must have been a U.S. veteran to be eligible for this benefit.)

State Resources

* Note that resources range dramatically from state to state.

Local City/County Resources

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