Burial Assistance

To help stop the spread of COVID-19, many HRA locations are consolidating until further notice. If your needs cannot be met by ACCESS HRA, call 311 or consult the HRA Locations page for more information.

HRA will provide financial assistance to individuals in need of assistance to meet qualifying funeral expenses. View the Application for Burial Allowance and find out more about what HRA will cover. Learn more about the application process below.

Burial Allowance Applications and supporting documents may be submitted in person, or by email at BurialServices@hra.nyc.gov or by fax at 917-639-0476.

Please note that the address listed on the application may be our old address. Our office is now located at:

33-28 Northern Blvd
3rd Floor
Long Island City, NY 11101

Phone: 718-473-8310.

Burial Allowance Application Process

Background

The Human Resources Administration (HRA) will provide financial assistance to individuals in need of assistance to meet funeral expenses. Low-income New York City residents may be eligible for up to $900 in financial assistance to meet funeral expenses for a deceased low income New York City resident family member or friend.

What can be covered

HRA will pay up to $900 towards burial expenses, but total burial expenses must be no more than $1,700. The cost of cremation or grave and grave opening charges are excluded, however, the cost of burying the ashes, after cremation is not excludable in calculating the $1,700 total cost. If the total remaining funeral bill expenses are more than $1,700, HRA will not approve payment. Any asset (whether or not previously assigned to HRA), that was available to the deceased or any amount that a legally responsible relative (e.g., a spouse or parent of a minor child) may have had on the date of death is considered an available resource and any amount paid or to be paid by any other source, will be subtracted from the $900 payment if the claim is determined eligible for payment.

To apply

The individual who makes the funeral arrangements or his/her representative must file an application within sixty (60) days from the date of the decedent's death with the Office of Burial Services by mail, in-person at 33-28 Northern Blvd., 3rd Flr., Long Island City, NY 11101, by email at BurialServices@hra.nyc.gov, or by fax at 917-639-0476.

For additional information you can reach us at 718-473-8310.

Please include any supporting documentation with your application or bring it with you to the initial interview.

Required documentation

A Burial Allowance Application Form M-860W completed and signed by the applicant.
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 party who made the funeral arrangements. The required sequential invoice number must appear on the document.
A copy of the cemetery or crematory bill, itemizing all charges.
Original itemized funeral bills 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.
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.
Information and documentation regarding the decedent's available assets/income as of the date of death, and those of the applicant (if the applicant is a legally responsible relative) is required on each case.

The Office of Burial Services may request any other documentation which may be necessary to make an eligibility determination based upon the particular facts and circumstances of each case. For cases where the burial or cremation has not taken place and assistance is needed please contact us.