Crime Victim Compensation: Help Paying for a Funeral After a Homicide

After a homicide, the funeral bill often arrives before anything else is settled. Crime victim compensation is a state program that can reimburse it, and many families do not hear about it until a deadline is close. This guide explains how it works in general; the exact amounts and rules are set by each state.

What is crime victim compensation?

It is a state program that reimburses out-of-pocket costs caused by a violent crime, such as funeral and burial expenses, counseling, and medical bills. Federal help comes from the Crime Victims Fund, which the Office for Victims of Crime administers, and the money flows to state and local compensation and assistance programs. Each state runs its own program, and the federal Office of Justice Programs directs people to their state’s program and to a local victim/witness program for help applying.

How much will it pay toward a funeral?

It depends heavily on the state. Examples from state program materials:

• Indiana pays up to $5,000 for funeral, burial, or cremation, but not burial clothing, flowers, or food.
• Connecticut lists a $6,000 maximum for funeral expenses and $1,000 for crime scene cleanup.
• Ohio lists funeral expenses up to $7,500.
• New York’s updated rules raise the maximum funeral and burial award to $12,000, with up to $6,000 available as an emergency contribution.

Compare that with the cost of the funeral you plan, and ask your program what counts as an eligible expense.

Who can apply?

Generally the victim’s dependents and family members, and often whoever paid for the funeral. Massachusetts lists dependents and family members of homicide victims and any person responsible for the funeral expenses. Indiana added eligibility in 2022 for family members who paid part of the funeral or burial costs. Programs usually cover crimes that happened in their own state, so apply to the state where the death occurred. Massachusetts, for example, covers violent crime occurring in Massachusetts.

What are the requirements and deadlines?

Most programs ask for a prompt police report and your cooperation with the investigation, and they set a filing deadline. Indiana requires a report within 72 hours and cooperation with the investigation and prosecution. Massachusetts requires a report within five days unless there is good cause, and an application within three years. New York’s recent changes removed a fixed reporting deadline and accept a report to a support agency for survivors of crime, not only to police. Because rules differ and change, call your program early. Late reports are often excused for good cause, but do not count on it.

How do I apply?

Find your state’s program through the Office for Victims of Crime directory or by calling VictimConnect at 855-484-2846. A victim advocate or victim/witness program can help you fill out the application, and you generally do not need an attorney. Connecticut’s form says so directly. Gather the funeral home’s invoice or itemized statement, the police report number, and your proof of relationship. Funeral directors often know the program, and some applications ask how you heard about it.

What if other money covers the same costs?

Compensation is meant to be a fund of last resort, so programs count other sources. Indiana describes its program that way. Ohio and Connecticut both say that if you receive money from another source for an expense the program paid, you must repay the program. Tell the program about life insurance, burial insurance, and other benefits, and see Funeral Assistance Programs and Handling Debts After a Death for the wider picture.

What if I need the money before the program decides?

Some programs can speed up funeral costs. New York allows up to $6,000 as an emergency funeral contribution within its overall maximum. If your state has no emergency option, ask whether the funeral home will wait for the program to pay, and see County and Indigent Burial for local help. For what to do in the first days, start with When Someone Is Killed.