Medicaid does not pay for funeral expenses directly, but some states offer burial assistance programs that work separately from Medicaid

Medicaid covers medical care — doctor visits, hospital stays, prescriptions, nursing home care. It does not cover the cost of a funeral, cremation, or burial. However, many states run their own burial assistance programs that are not part of Medicaid but may help pay for these costs if the person who died had very low income and few assets. These programs exist in roughly half of U.S. states, but the rules, amounts, and how to request them vary widely by location.

If someone on Medicaid dies and leaves behind funeral bills, the first step is to contact your state's Medicaid office or your county social services department to ask whether a burial assistance program exists in your state and whether the deceased person would have met the requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicaid itself does not cover funeral, cremation, or burial costs, even if the person was enrolled at the time of death.
  • Some states operate separate burial assistance programs that may pay a fixed amount toward funeral expenses if the deceased had very low income and minimal assets.
  • Burial assistance programs are not automatic — you must request them, usually through your county social services office or state Medicaid agency.
  • The amount paid, the income and asset limits, and whether the program is currently open varies by state and sometimes by county.
  • If no state program exists or the person does not meet the requirements, you may be able to negotiate payment plans directly with funeral homes or look into community assistance programs.

How state burial assistance programs work

States that offer burial assistance typically pay a set amount — often between $500 and $2,000 — directly to the funeral home or crematory. You do not receive the money yourself. The program pays the provider on your behalf, and you are responsible for any costs above that amount.

To request burial assistance, you usually contact your county social services office, your state Medicaid office, or the county coroner's office. Some states process requests through a specific burial assistance program; others handle it through general indigent burial funds. The person who died must have met income and asset limits at the time of death — typically very low income (often below 200% of the federal poverty level) and minimal resources (sometimes $1,500 or less in countable assets).

Processing time varies. Some states decide within days; others take several weeks. If you need to arrange a funeral before the program responds, you may need to pay upfront and then request reimbursement, though not all programs offer this option.

Which states have burial assistance programs

Burial assistance is not a federal program, so availability depends entirely on your state. States with programs include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. However, this list changes, and some states may have suspended or modified their programs.

The fastest way to find out whether your state has a program is to call your county social services office or your state Medicaid office and ask directly. They can tell you the income and asset limits, the maximum payment amount, and what documents you need to provide. If your state does not have a program, ask whether the county coroner's office or county health department administers an indigent burial fund.

Income and asset limits for burial assistance

Each state sets its own limits. Most programs require that the person who died had income below a certain threshold — often 200% of the federal poverty level, which in 2024 is roughly $2,900 per month for an individual. Some states use lower thresholds; others use higher ones.

Asset limits are usually very strict. Many programs count only liquid assets (cash, bank accounts, stocks) and exclude the home and one vehicle. If the deceased person owned a home with significant equity, they may not meet the asset limit, even if they had low monthly income. Some programs also exclude life insurance with a face value below a certain amount, typically $1,500.

You will need to provide proof of income (tax returns, Social Security statements, bank records) and a list of assets. If the person had a will or estate, you may also need to show that the estate cannot cover funeral costs.

What happens if the deceased person had Medicaid but does not meet burial assistance requirements

If your state has no burial assistance program, or if the person does not meet the income or asset limits, you have several other options. Many funeral homes offer payment plans that let you pay the bill over time without interest, though you should ask about this directly — policies vary by home. Some funeral homes also reduce costs if you choose direct cremation or a simple service instead of a traditional funeral.

Community organizations, religious institutions, and nonprofits sometimes help with funeral costs for people in financial hardship. Local United Way chapters, Salvation Army offices, and community action agencies may have emergency assistance funds. Ask your county social services office whether they know of any local resources.

If the deceased person left behind an estate — a house, car, bank account, or other property — the executor or administrator of that estate is typically responsible for paying funeral costs from estate funds before distributing anything to heirs. This is true even if the person was on Medicaid.

How to request burial assistance in your state

Start by calling your county social services office or your state Medicaid office. Tell them the person has died and ask whether your state has a burial or indigent funeral assistance program. If it does, ask for the application form and the list of required documents. Many states now allow you to submit requests by mail, email, or phone, though some still require in-person visits.

Gather documents showing the person's income and assets at the time of death, a copy of the death certificate, and the funeral home's itemized bill. Some programs also ask for proof that you are the person responsible for arranging the funeral — usually a letter from the funeral home or a copy of the funeral arrangement agreement.

Submit everything together and keep a copy for your records. Ask for a case number and a timeline for a decision. If you are told the person does not meet the requirements, ask whether you can appeal or provide additional information.

Medicaid's responsibility for unpaid medical bills versus funeral costs

Medicaid pays for medical care provided before death — hospital stays, doctor visits, nursing home care, medications. These bills are Medicaid's responsibility, not yours or the estate's. However, if the deceased person received Medicaid benefits and left behind an estate with assets, some states can recover what Medicaid paid from that estate after the person's death. This is called estate recovery, and it applies to long-term care costs in particular.

Funeral and burial costs are different. Medicaid does not pay for them, and they are not subject to estate recovery. If the person had a will or left behind property, funeral costs come out of the estate before anything goes to heirs, but this is a matter of state law and probate, not Medicaid policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Medicaid to pay for a funeral if the person is still alive but expected to die soon?

No. Medicaid does not cover funeral planning or pre-need arrangements. You would need to pay for these out of pocket or through a burial insurance policy or prepaid funeral plan. Some funeral homes offer payment plans for pre-need arrangements as well.

What if the funeral home says they will not release the body until the bill is paid?

Funeral homes can legally hold a body until their bill is paid, but many will work with you if you have applied for burial assistance. Tell the funeral home that you have submitted a request and ask whether they will wait for the program's decision or accept a partial payment while you wait. Some programs can contact the funeral home directly to confirm that assistance is pending.

Does the person have to have been on Medicaid at the time of death to get burial assistance?

No. Most state burial assistance programs base may be able to access on the person's income and assets at the time of death, not on whether they were enrolled in Medicaid. However, some states do require Medicaid enrollment or recent enrollment. Ask your state program directly.

If I pay for the funeral myself, can I get reimbursed by the burial assistance program?

Some states allow reimbursement if you paid before the program approved the request, but you must ask first. Other states will only pay the funeral home directly. Before you pay out of pocket, contact your state program and ask whether reimbursement is an option and what proof they need.

What if the person had life insurance — does that affect burial assistance?

Life insurance proceeds are usually not counted as assets for burial assistance purposes, but the rules vary by state. If the person had a life insurance policy, the death benefit should go to the named beneficiary and can be used to pay funeral costs. Tell your state program about any life insurance so they can clarify how it affects may be able to access.