FEMA funeral assistance benefit program: Included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Program began accepting applications for its Funeral Assistance Program on April 12th. Amount one can receive is $9,000 per funeral, and a maximum of $35,000 if applicants have more than one death in the family. Massachusetts has created a funeral assistance page where information can also be found if you need access to a death certificate and how to amend one. Example, someone passed early in the pandemic and did not have COVID-19 as a cause of death, but they did die from COVID-19. Very easy to apply, applications only through phone lines right now at 1-844-684-6333. TTY #:1-800-462-7585. More information can be found on www.fema.gov/funeral-assistance.