There is very little governmental assistance to defray burial expenses. The federal government provides $255.00 death benefit to suriving spouses or a dependent child. Also, there are some cash awards available to some veterans; which generally amounts to a $300.00 death benefit and $150.00 reimbursement towards the cost of a burial plot for those veterans who elect not to use a national
. cemetery. Other than the aforementioned; there is no money available to help defray funeral costs; with the exception of county indigent burial stipends. Some counties do provide funeral homes a small stipend to bury truly indigent people. However; the funeral home has to agree to perform the burial for the amount allowed and there is typically no funeral rites provided; simply a direct interment.
