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Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Pennsylvania
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In General
It is not recommended to pre-pay a funeral home for funeral costs as the funeral home may go out of business or be bought by another funeral home or large corporate funeral business. If you move out of the area and have pre-paid, getting a refund could be a problem.
Paying for Funerals
There are a number of burial insurance companies where you pay monthly with the proceeds dedicated to paying your funeral costs up to the amount of the policy. Automatic deposit from your paycheck is the easiest way to guarantee payments
Another option is to open a savings account with another family member so that it is available immediately and not tied up in a probate process. Automatic deposit from your paycheck is recommended.
Social Security
If the person who died is on Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI), there is a one-time payment of $255 for the spouse of the deceased or child under the age of 18 if there is no spouse. Information about this and survivors benefits can be found on the Social Security Administration website.
PA Dept of Human Services
Persons receiving Social Security Supplemental Income (SSI) and Persons living on Pennsylvania Cash Assistance are eligible. For more Information visit: Pa Dept of Human Services. Eligibility for assistance with burial costs is determined by the local County Assistance Offices. To find your local office click here: CAO.
Veterans – Funeral Costs
The Veterans Administration will contribute $2,000 for active duty service-related deaths and for non-service related deaths $978 reimbursement for funeral costs and $978 towards the cemetery plot. For specific information check the VA website.
Military Veterans Cemetery Burial
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs operates 131 national cemeteries, offering free burial for veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependents. You can apply for pre-burial eligibility ahead of time or schedule a burial at the time of death. For more information visit the VA Burial and Memorial page or the National Cemetery Administration .
Additionally, the U.S. Navy offers a Burial at Sea program for active duty service members, retirees, veterans, and eligible family members. Learn more about the Burial at Sea program on the MyNavy HR website.
Next of Kin Insufficient Funds
Allegheny County does not provide an indigent burial program. The following agencies may provide assistance and recommendations regarding interment
-Catholic Charities/St. Vincent DePaul Pittsburgh: 412-321-1071
-Jewish Cemetery & Burial Association of Greater Pittsburgh: 412-554-6460 or 412-421-9477
-Allegheny County Veterans Services-Pittsburgh: 412-621-4357
Funeral Registry
If covering funeral costs feels overwhelming, you’re not alone—and there are new ways to find support. One helpful option is creating a funeral registry, which allows friends and family to contribute directly toward specific expenses such as the funeral service, burial or cremation, flowers, or memorial gathering.
GiveWillow.com offers a free, secure online platform where families can easily create a registry, share it by email or social media, and let others offer both financial help and messages of remembrance. It’s a compassionate, transparent way to invite community support during a difficult time—without added stress or fees.
Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Pennsylvania
P.O. Box 81011
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412.241.0705 info@funeralconsumerswpa.org
Funeral Consumers Alliance of Western Pennsylvania is a 501( c )(3) nonprofit organization, donations to which are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Official registration and financial information regarding FCAWP is available from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling, toll-free within the state, 800.732.0999 or by searching with our organization’s name at file.dos.pa.gov/search/business. Annually, FCAWP pays 15% of undesignated donations to the national Funeral Consumers Alliance.