Funeral Assistance Program (FAP)

Qualifications for Funeral Assistance

• Residency: The applicant or the deceased must reside within the specified service area.
• Age Requirement: The applicant must be at least 18 years old to apply.
• Relationship to the Deceased: The applicant must be an immediate family member or legal guardian of the deceased that is responsible for making funeral arrangements.
• Financial Need: Applicants must demonstrate financial need, indicating an inability to cover funeral-related expenses (e.g., low income, unemployment).
• Insurance Coverage: There is no insurance policy in place, or the available funds are insufficient to cover the funeral expenses.
• Documentation: Required documentation must include:
  • Proof of relationship to the deceased.
  • Funeral service estimates or statement of goods.
  • Financial documents showing income or hardship.
• Funeral Service Provider: Assistance must be used for services provided by a funeral home partnered with The Ferguson Foundation.
• Limitations on Assistance: Assistance is limited to specific funeral-related expenses, such as caskets, burial plots, and service fees.

Please gather the following documents to upload/attach in the designated area of your application. The applicant must include:

• Current Photo ID
• Proof of Relationship to the Deceased: Documentation confirming that you are a legal guardian of the deceased (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate, or legal guardianship papers) or an immediate family member that is responsible for paying the bill.
• Funeral Service Estimates or Statement of Goods: A detailed estimate or invoice from the funeral home outlining the services and costs for the funeral arrangements.
• Financial Documents Showing Income or Hardship: Recent pay stubs, unemployment documentation, tax returns, or other financial records demonstrating your financial need and inability to cover funeral-related expenses.
• Copy of Insurance Policy (if applicable): If there is an insurance policy in place, a copy of the policy showing coverage amounts and payouts.
• Proof of Residency: Documentation proving that either you or the deceased resided within the service area (e.g., utility bill, lease agreement, or driver’s license).

1. Review and ensure you meet the Eligibility Criteria for financial assistance.
2. Ensure you have all the Required Application Documents ready to upload/attach to the application.
3. Complete the application and upload/attach the Required Application Documents.
4. Review the terms and conditions.
5. Click submit. You will receive an email at the address provided in your application indicating "Pending," which means your application has been received but not yet reviewed. If you don’t see this email in your inbox, please check your spam folder..
6. A Ferguson Foundation advisory member will review your application, and you can expect one of the following emails: (Approved, Additional Information Needed, Denied, Not Currently Accepting Applications) within approximately 5 to 7 business days. Please note that applications submitted on Fridays will be reviewed the following Monday. If you do not receive a notification, be sure to check your spam folder..

APPROVED – Your application has been approved. An advisory member will reach out to you to gather or provide more information regarding funding.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED – An advisory member will email you to request further information. If you do not submit the requested details within the specified timeframe, your application will be automatically denied, and you will need to reapply.

DENIED – You are not eligible for financial assistance. An email will be sent to you detailing the reasons for the denial.

NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – Your application was submitted during a time when the foundation is not accepting new applications.

Check your spam folder if you do not receive a notification in your inbox.