Hurricane Laura left a disaster across many parts of Louisiana, devastating homes and businesses. One place most people forget about while they are busy cleaning up the devastating destruction is our cemeteries where our loved ones are buried. You may have seen or read about the vast number of coffins that were forced from the ground and washed away. The horror of imagining our loved ones resting in peace being swept away from the hurricane surge and massive flooding is real. The devastation that has been dealt to our families’ headstones, vaults, and crypts is also widespread. Trees falling and uprooting tombs or toppling and shattering headstones are only part of the of destruction caused by the hurricane. There is help, and you may qualify for Individual Assistance (IA) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)! Every household is encouraged to apply. Louisiana cemeteries need you to apply!
Please don’t delay – Apply Today!
Deadline for applications is FRIDAY, Nov. 27, 2020.The Louisiana Cemetery Task force has been working tirelessly to help find and record the damages, but they need your help. Applying for individual assistance for Funeral Assistance will help, and your household may qualify.
FEMA funds available for cemetery repair for damages from Hurricane Laura
“Good Samaritans” can apply.
Time is running out for people to register for the all-important FEMA disaster number.
The FEMA deadline is Nov. 27 to register for Hurricane Laura damage.
Assistant Attorney General Ryan Siedemann, chairman of the Louisiana Cemetery Response Task Force and teams from FEMA, have led meetings across the state to help people understand what is available for cemetery repairs. The LCRTF and FEMA explained how to get financial help.
The key is to apply for a FEMA disaster number, then check "yes" for federal individual assistance. Once that is done, contact the Task Force at 225-326-6065 or cemeterytaskforce@ag.louisiana.gov to receive the paperwork needed. It's only two simple forms, one for consent and one a promissory note stating the money will be used for the repairs.
Up to $8000 is available per household for vault repair, tomb repair, tombstone resetting or replacement, and re-casketing. There is help for relocation. Simple tree removal and replacement of decorative items such as vases ae not covered. Families may choose their contractor, within the guidelines of the cemetery operator.
The cemetery repair money, labeled "funeral assistance" on FEMA forms, will not come out of the individual assistance money provided for housing and other disaster expenses, Siedemann said. The Task Force will act as go-between with FEMA for the families and cemetery operators.
Good Samaritan Option
An attractive option is available for those who don't use all the $8000 or who don't have any family graves affected but want to help repair those who have no family left to take care of them. Under the Good Samaritan clause, anyone can sign up for a FEMA number and use it to help the cemetery of their choice. it is critical to apply for the FEMA number by the deadline of Nov. 27. The Task Force process has no deadline. Donors can take their time and learn more about the program after getting that FEMA number in place.
Applicants don't have to live in the disaster zone, or even in the state. Anyone can register for cemetery assistance, with one application per household. For example, if there are five adult children living separately, each can apply for assistance and use it for the same grave or for several in the same cemetery, or any cemetery. The Task Forced can supply street addresses for the cemeteries.
There are no income tax consequences for receiving this money, and no adverse repercussions from fixing an "orphan" grave. A law was passed to protect the cemetery Good Samaritans from any legal action.
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