City expands burial assistance fund amid pandemic

Councilmember Francisco Moya called on the city to provide burial funds to those hit hardest by the pandemic. Photo by John McCarten/City Council

By Victoria Merlino

Families of coronavirus victims will see some relief from the city following a call from a Queens councilmember to create an emergency burial assistance fund, 

New York City will increase the amount of money that low-income residents can receive for funeral assistance from $900 to $1,700, according to the The Wall Street Journal. The change comes as families struggle to lay loved ones to rest amid a public health crisis that has killed almost 20,000 people across the state. The city is also expanding the program so that all residents may apply to receive funds, regardless of immigration status.

Councilmember Francisco Moya, who represents the epicenter of the outbreak in Queens, advocated for the initial emergency fund and applauded the increase. 

“No community has been spared by the COVID-19 crisis but for undocumented immigrants, the disease has been particularly cruel,” Moya said in a statement. “Not only were undocumented New Yorkers denied being among loved ones in their final moments but they were also denied a dignified burial among them as well — whether in their adopted country or their native one.”

Queens accounts for the second-highest number of deaths from COVID-19 in the state, according to Health Department data.

“New York City is once again demonstrating what justice and equity look like as it expands eligibility for the HRA’s burial assistance program to all low-income New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, and increases the reimbursement limit,” Moya said.