Funeral & End-of-Life Assistance Resources in Nebraska

Last updated September 11, 2026

Losing a loved one is devastating, and the financial burden of funeral and burial costs can make an already painful time even harder. Nebraska residents who cannot afford funeral or burial expenses may qualify for assistance through state and county programs, federal benefits, or nonprofit organizations. Costs can vary widely, and even partial assistance can make a meaningful difference for grieving families.

Your first step should be calling 2-1-1 Nebraska (dial 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898-211). Trained specialists are available around the clock to connect you with local burial assistance funds, county-administered programs, and nonprofit funeral aid specific to your community. Eligibility and available funds vary by county, so a 2-1-1 specialist can help you identify what is available where you live.

If the deceased was enrolled in Medicaid or received other public benefits, or if the death involved a veteran, additional avenues of assistance exist at the state and federal level. Acting quickly matters — many programs have tight application windows, often within days of the death. The information below outlines the most reliable starting points for Nebraska families.

Key programs in Nebraska

Nebraska Medicaid Burial Assistance (Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services)

Nebraska's Medicaid program, administered by DHHS, may cover limited burial or cremation costs for individuals who were receiving Medicaid or other public assistance at the time of death, or whose estate is insufficient to cover final expenses. This is sometimes called a county or state burial assistance benefit and is means-tested.

How to access: Contact your local Nebraska DHHS office as soon as possible after the death. You can find your local office at dhhs.ne.gov or by calling the DHHS Economic Assistance line. You can also dial 2-1-1 Nebraska for a direct referral to the correct county office.

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Burial Benefits

Eligible veterans may receive a burial allowance, a plot or interment allowance, and burial in a national or state veterans cemetery at no cost to the family. Nebraska has state veterans cemeteries, and eligibility is based on the veteran's discharge status and circumstances of death. The VA also provides a Presidential Memorial Certificate.

How to access: Apply online at va.gov/burials-memorials, call the VA at 1-800-827-1000, or contact the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs at veterans.nebraska.gov. Funeral homes familiar with VA benefits can also help initiate claims.

Social Security Administration (SSA) Lump-Sum Death Payment

A one-time payment of $255 may be available to the surviving spouse or eligible children of a deceased Social Security beneficiary. While modest, it can offset a portion of immediate funeral costs.

How to access: Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778) or visit ssa.gov. This must be applied for — it is not paid automatically. Apply as soon as possible after the death.

FEMA Funeral Assistance (COVID-19 — check current status)

FEMA has provided funeral assistance for COVID-19-related deaths. Availability and enrollment periods have changed over time. If the death was related to COVID-19, it is worth checking whether this program is still accepting applications.

How to access: Call FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance line at 1-844-684-6333 or visit fema.gov/funeral-assistance to check current program status and eligibility requirements.

2-1-1 Nebraska (Nebraska's Health and Human Services Helpline)

2-1-1 Nebraska connects residents to local county burial assistance funds, nonprofit funeral aid, grief support services, and other end-of-life resources. Local availability varies significantly by county, and 2-1-1 specialists maintain the most current information on what is active in your area.

How to access: Dial 2-1-1, text your zip code to 898-211, or visit ne211.org. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in multiple languages.

Funeral & End-of-Life Assistance resources for Nebraska

GriefShare

Nationwide

Grief recovery support groups meeting in communities nationwide.

Visit

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)

Nationwide

24/7 support for families grieving the death of a military loved one.

1-800-959-8277
Visit

The Dougy Center

Nationwide

Support for children, teens, and families grieving a death, plus provider resources.

1-866-775-5683
Visit
← Back to the full Community Resource Directory