Help with Funeral Costs

DTA Assistance - Based on an individual’s financial need, we will work with you to determine the best way to maximize and guarantee aid, helping to reduce your family’s financial burden. We accept Mass Health – MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) payments for funeral or cremation services. We will complete the necessary paperwork for this assistance, submit it to DTA and wait for approval, then payment.   The benefit provided by the state for eligible decedents is $1,100 provided that the total funeral expenses do not exceed $3,500.   More information can be found here.

Massachusetts Veterans who are receiving assistance under M.G.L. Chapter 115 may be eligible for state funds of $4,000, provided that the total funeral expenses do not exceed $5,000. Rice Funeral Home will complete and submit state Form V.S.9 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Commissioner of Veterans’ Services on behalf of the family of those veterans who qualify for and wish to apply for this benefit.

Burial Fund - A burial fund (of up to $1,500) is money set aside by a family to pay for future funeral expenses. For example, this money can be in a bank account or other financial instrument.   This money is exempt from the $2,000 maximum ($3,000 for a couple) resource limit allowed by Mass Health.   It is also separate from pre-paid funeral expenses with a funeral home.  For more information visit https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-burial-funds.htm 

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance - https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

CrowdFunding - You can also get help from family and friends to help with burial, cremation, or other end-of-life costs. During one of life’s most difficult times, you can turn to GoFundMe for help in paying for the final expenses for a loved one. We can provide a link to your GoFundMe page from the obituary on our website.  

Please NOTE: When you establish a crowdfunding account such as GoFundMe it removes your eligibility to apply for DTA assistance based on the state guidelines.