What to Do If a Loved One Dies on Long Island,and you have no Money for Cremation, Burial, Wake, Funeral?
- homelesslongisland
- Jul 30, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 21, 2025
What to Do If a Loved One Dies on Long Island, NY, and You Have No Money for Cremation or Burial?
One of our friends, whose mother was homeless, unfortunately passed away. He is her only family and has no money for her cremation.
The lowest price he could find for cremation was at Frabrizio Funeral Chapel in West Islip, NY.
She passed away a few weeks before this blog was written and is still being stored at the hospital until he can come up with the money needed for her transportation and cremation.
If you would like to contribute to Salvatore’s mother’s cremation, please call us, and we will put you in touch with him at (631) 260-1363. Ask for Chaplain Steven Crawford.
1. Contact Local Charities and Non-Profits
Many organizations provide assistance for low-income families in need of funeral services. Reach out to local charities, churches, or community organizations to see if they can help with costs.
2. State Assistance Programs
New York State offers funeral assistance programs for those who qualify. The Office of Victim Services (OVS) and other state programs help cover the cost of cremation or burial for eligible individuals.
3. Low-Cost Funeral Homes
Research local funeral homes that offer reduced rates or packages for those in financial hardship. Some may provide services at a lower cost based on your situation.
4. Body Donation
Consider the option of donating your loved one’s remains to a medical school. The Stony Brook University Body Donation Program allows individuals to donate their remains for educational purposes. After the educational use, they handle cremation at no charge. This is an excellent option if your loved one showed interest in contributing to medical education. However they will hold the body for medical research for 18-24 months before cremation, and giving you the ashes
For more details, visit their Body Donation page: click here
5. Social Media
Consider starting a crowdfunding campaign online through platforms like Facebook and GoFundMe. This can allow friends and family to contribute to the cremation costs.
6. Talk to Local Hospitals or Hospice Services
If your loved one died in a hospital or hospice, ask them about available resources or assistance programs. They are often familiar with local charities and types of support available.
7. Prepaid Funeral Plans (plan ahead if possible).
If your loved one had a prepaid plan, contact the institution that manages it. They may have provisions for covering cremation costs.
8. Government
Suffolk County Department of Social Services (DSS):
DSS provides burial assistance, which can include cremation, for individuals receiving Temporary Assistance (including those who are not legally residing in the country).
You must NOT pay the Funeral Parkor $1 before you apply for the indigent burial fund or they will deny you. That is the same for Nassau And Suffolk
Social services indigent burial assistance They also cover the costs for stillborn infants and individuals found dead within the county who are not the responsibility of another social services district.
A pre-screening is available online to determine potential eligibility for this assistance.
A maximum benefit of $1,500 may be available for burial or cremation.
DSS approval is required before finalizing arrangements with the funeral home.
FEMA Funeral Assistance: For deaths related to a federally declared disaster (like the COVID-19 pandemic), FEMA may offer assistance. Click here
Social Security Death Benefit: The Social Security Administration may pay a one-time death benefit of $255.
9 Veterans
Veterans and their families may be eligible for assistance from the Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA) https://www.va.gov/burials-and-memorials/
10 Direct Cremation:
If other options are limited, a direct cremation, which is a basic cremation service without viewing or embalming, is generally the most affordable option: Click here
11 Funeral Consumers Alliance of Long Island and New York
This organization works with local funeral homes to provide low-cost funeral services to New York City and Long Island residents. Members can join and receive information on funeral services and discounts at participating funeral homes and advice on the funeral planning process
(631) 544-0383 http://www.nyfunerals.org/advice.htm
12 Hebrew Free Burial Association
This organization works w/ Jewish families and helps coordinate burial services at a low cost. They are not a funeral home; however, they coordinate services w/ funeral homes and work to provide a traditional Jewish funeral and burial to families regardless of
financial means. The cost of services is based off a sliding fee scale, they take into
consideration the family’s ability to pay, and the deceased’s assets. Ms. Stein informed me that costs vary from min $0- max $3,000.
All burials take place at Mount Richmond Cemetery in Staten Island,
grave sites are included.
Additional Info can be found on their website:
13 Muslim
Edhi International Foundation (Muslim) (718) 639-5120
Website: https://edhi.org/usa/
14 Additional resources
This website many resources that may help.
Also svdpli.org/conferences will assist with paying.
Google your local Salvation Army they may help.
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