Burial Assistance

The Burial Assistance Program provides payments to providers for burial and cremation services of low-income residents. Burial benefits are used to cover reasonable and necessary costs for burial services. The burial benefit is up to $1,500, depending on the decedent’s resources at time of death and total cost of all funeral, cremation and/or burial services.

Contact: 970-619-4493 | burials@co.larimer.co.us

Burial Assistance is available to qualifying Larimer County residents. Before applying, please be aware of the following eligibility criteria:

  • The total cost for burial/cremation services cannot exceed $2,500.
  • The burial benefit is up to $1,500.
  • If services have already been paid in full, no benefit will be paid. This program does not allow for reimbursements.
  • The amount of burial assistance paid by Larimer County Human Services is based on resources and assets the decedent had at the time of death. If the decedent was married, spousal resources will be taken into consideration when determining the benefit. If the decedent was a child under the age of 18, both parents’ resources will be taken into consideration when determining the benefit.

We will need the following verifications for the decedent and spouse:

  • Bank statement/pay card statement: Printout from a bank showing the balance on the date of death of the deceased and/or spouse or provide a letter from a financial institution with the current balance on the date of death.
  • Registration card and mileage for vehicles that are owned or jointly owned.
  • Verification of earned or unearned income for the current month. This includes any social security, employment, pensions, or any other income.
  • Copies of all life insurance, burial insurance, or pre-need policies for the deceased, no matter the beneficiary and the surrender value for each policy.
  • Verification of any real estate owned, including land, house, mobile home (etc.) If deceased is a minor, must have verification for both parents.
  • Burial plot purchase information if purchased prior to death.
  • Cash on hand at the time of death.

This application is used to determine eligibility for the State and county contribution toward the expenses of a funeral, burial, or cremation. The death reimbursement benefit must be applied for within thirty days of the date of death. Requests made after thirty days shall be evaluated by the county department and an extension may be given if good cause exists, not to exceed one (1) year from the date of death.

For more information and to apply, download the application and submit it to burials@co.larimer.co.us .


FAQs

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  1. What do I need to provide to apply for burial benefits?

    In order to process the burial quickly it will be helpful if you provide the following:

    • A complete and signed burial application
    • An invoice or estimation of services from the mortuary/funeral home/crematorium
    • Verification of resources (if applicable) for responsible persons as of the date of death
  2. Do I have to be related to the deceased recipient to apply for burial benefits?

    No you do not. The Burial Assistance Program is based on the eligibility of the deceased individual, not the applicant. The resources of the parents (if the deceased is a minor child) or spouse are considered available for payment of funeral, cremation, and/or burial expenses and must be insufficient to pay for the funeral, cremation, or burial expenses.

  3. What if the burial amount exceeds the $2,500 limit, but someone chooses to contribute toward the funeral/cremation to decrease the cost to $2,500?

    The total cost of the funeral/cremation cannot exceed $2,500. Any money voluntarily contributed by a spouse or parent(s) is used to reduce the state contribution.