Funeral or burial assistance programs in the Philippines are programs designed to provide support to families dealing with the high costs of funeral and burial services. These programs are often run by government agencies and non-government organizations, each offering varying levels of aid to cover expenses such as funeral services, burial plots, transportation of remains, and more. By helping with these expenses, funeral assistance programs alleviate some of the financial strain that comes with losing a loved one, allowing families to focus on grieving and honoring their family member’s life.
In this article, we rounded up a comprehensive list of funeral and burial assistance programs available in the Philippines, detailing each program’s benefits. From the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to specialized services for OFWs, senior citizens, and barangay officials, these programs ensure that those in need can access timely financial support. For each program, this guide includes the complete details on the amounts and how it is supposed to help families find the assistance that best fits their needs.
Types of Funeral or Burial Assistance Programs in the Philippines
In the Philippines, several funeral or burial assistance programs are available to help ease the financial burden on families after a loved one’s death. These programs are provided by various government agencies and organizations, tailored to address different needs and eligible groups.
- Government-Sponsored General Burial Assistance Programs: These programs provide direct financial aid for funeral expenses to individuals in need, especially low-income families facing crises. By covering funeral costs, these government-sponsored initiatives help families cope with the expenses of burial and interment during difficult times.
- Social Insurance Burial Benefits: Social insurance benefits, managed by agencies like the Social Security System (SSS), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and PhilHealth, offer cash grants or death benefits to cover funeral expenses for deceased members. These programs aim to assist beneficiaries of workers and retirees in managing funeral costs based on their contributions and eligibility.
- Burial Assistance for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs): Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and their families receive dedicated support through programs like the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) burial assistance. These benefits provide financial aid to the families of deceased OFWs to help with burial and death-related costs, recognizing the unique challenges OFWs face.
- Specialized Burial Assistance Programs for Specific Groups: Specialized programs are available for groups such as senior citizens and barangay officials, acknowledging their service and unique needs. These benefits provide financial support or discounts for funeral expenses, honoring the contributions of these groups while helping their families manage burial costs.
These types of funeral and burial assistance programs ensure that a range of needs are met, from general support for low-income families to specific aid for workers, OFWs, and community officials. Each program varies in eligibility, benefits, and application processes, allowing individuals to access the assistance most relevant to their circumstances. Below is a detailed list of available funeral and burial assistance programs in the Philippines that you can check.
1. PCSO Direct Financial, Funeral, and Medical Assistance
Provider: Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)
This program provides direct cash support for individuals facing urgent medical emergencies or funeral costs. It ensures timely aid to help families manage high expenses during critical periods. By addressing both medical and funeral needs, the program supports recipients in overcoming financial burdens promptly.
Purpose: To offer immediate financial relief for medical crises and funeral expenses.
Benefits:
- Cash assistance for medical emergencies
- Financial aid for funeral expenses
- Flexible coverage for various medical needs
2. SSS Funeral Benefit
Provider: Social Security System (SSS)
This benefit provides a cash grant to the person who covered the burial expenses of a deceased SSS member. It is designed to help ease the financial burden associated with funeral costs. The amount granted depends on the deceased member’s contributions and average monthly salary credit (MSC).
Purpose: To assist with funeral expenses for a deceased SSS member.
Benefits:
- Fixed cash grant amount between PHP 20,000 to PHP 40,000
- Amount varies based on the member’s contribution and MSC
3. SSS Funeral Benefit (under the Employees’ Compensation (EC) Program)
Provider: SSS
The EC Program offers supplementary benefits for workers who experience work-related death or disability. It is designed to provide additional financial assistance alongside the standard SSS benefits. The program applies to private-sector workers and certain government employees.
Purpose: To offer extra financial support to workers facing work-related risks and their families in cases of disability or death.
Benefits:
- Cash Benefits: Available for temporary or permanent disability, death, and funeral expenses.
- Funeral Benefit: PHP 30,000
4. DSWD Funeral Assistance (under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations– AICS Program)
Provider: Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
The AICS Funeral Assistance program provides financial support for families facing crises, specifically covering funeral-related expenses. Accessible through local DSWD offices, the program helps low-income families manage emergency costs after a loved one’s death. Revised guidelines aim to simplify the application process to offer timely relief for those in need.
Purpose: To provide immediate financial relief for funeral expenses to families in crisis or facing severe economic hardships.
Benefits:
- Funeral Assistance: Up to Php 10,000 for funeral expenses and transportation of remains.
- Accessible for low-income families, including Indigenous Peoples and Moros, to support traditional burial customs.
- Cash assistance provided in emergencies, disasters, or calamities involving family casualties without a detailed case study requirement.
5. OWWA Death and Burial (under the OWWA Social Benefits)
Provider: Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)
This program offers financial support to the families of deceased Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were active OWWA members at the time of their death. The assistance includes death and burial benefits, depending on the cause of death. This program aims to ease the financial burden on families during a difficult time.
Purpose: To provide financial assistance for the death and burial expenses of deceased OFWs.
Benefits:
- Up to Php 100,000 for natural death
- Php 200,000 for accidental death
- Additional Php 20,000 burial grant
6. OWWA Bereavement Assistance (Welfare Assistance Program – WAP)
Provider: OWWA
The OWWA Bereavement Assistance provides cash aid to qualified family members of deceased OFWs. This one-time benefit supports both active and inactive OWWA members who are not eligible for Death and Burial Social Benefits. It aims to ease the financial burden of funeral expenses and loss of income.
Purpose: To financially assist the bereaved families of deceased OFWs with funeral costs and income support.
Benefits:
- One-time cash assistance: Php 20,000.00
7. GSIS Funeral Benefit
Provider: Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)
This program provides a cash benefit of ₱30,000 to cover funeral expenses for the qualified deceased members, pensioners, or retirees under certain retirement laws (RA 660, RA 1616, PD 1146, and RA 8291). It is payable to a legitimate spouse, a legitimate child who paid for funeral expenses, or any other person with proof of having covered the costs. The funeral benefit aims to help reduce the financial burden of funeral and burial expenses.
Purpose: To assist families of deceased members in covering funeral and burial costs.
Benefits:
- Amount of Funeral Benefit:
- ₱30,000 for most members;
- ₱10,000 for uniformed personnel of the PNP, BJMP, and BFP.
8. OVP – Medical and Burial (MAB) Assistance Program
Provider: Office of the Vice President (OVP), funded by PAGCOR
The OVP MAB Assistance Program offers financial support to low-income families for funeral and burial expenses. This program provides essential aid to indigent and marginalized Filipinos, helping them meet the costs associated with a family member’s death. Applications for assistance must be submitted within 15 days of the death.
Purpose: To provide financial support to help cover burial expenses for low-income families.
Benefits:
- Maximum assistance amount: PHP 5,000
- Eligibility: Low-income and marginalized families
- Application period: Within 15 calendar days from the date of death, including weekends and holidays
9. Barangay Official Death Benefits
Provider: Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
This program provides financial assistance to the families of deceased barangay officials. It is aimed at recognizing the contributions and service of barangay officials by offering support to their loved ones after their passing. Eligible beneficiaries can receive monetary aid to help cover expenses.
Purpose: To offer financial support to the families of deceased barangay officials as a form of recognition for their public service.
Benefits:
- Death benefit amount: PHP 50,000
- Provided to the official’s family
10. Malasakit Center Burial Assistance
Provider: Malasakit Center
This program offers financial assistance to cover funeral services, interment, cremation, and transport of the deceased’s remains to their hometown or residence. It aims to ease the financial burden on families, particularly those from Indigenous Cultural Communities, Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and Moros, who have specific burial customs. Assistance is provided through Malasakit Centers across the Philippines.
Purpose: To provide financial support to families for burial-related expenses, especially for those with unique cultural practices.
Benefits:
- Coverage for funeral services, interment, and cremation
- Transportation of remains to hometown or residence
- Prioritizes IPs and Moros with traditional burial practices
11. Senior Citizens Burial Assistance
Provider: Office of the Senior Citizens Association (OSCA)
The Office of the Senior Citizens Burial Assistance provides financial aid for funeral and burial services for senior citizens aged 60 and above. Under the program, beneficiaries receive a minimum loan amount of P2,000 and a 20% discount on funeral and burial services. However, specific interment services, such as grave digging and concreting, are not covered by this discount.
Purpose: To support the families of deceased senior citizens by reducing the financial burden associated with funeral and burial expenses.
Benefits:
- Minimum loan amount: P2,000
- 20% discount on eligible funeral and burial services
- Exclusions apply to certain interment services (grave digging, concreting of gravesite)
- Discounts are based on the provisions of RA 7432, as amended by RA 9257 and RA 9994.
12. PhilHealth Death Benefit
Provider: Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)
The PhilHealth Death Benefit offers a lump sum payment of P200,000 to beneficiaries of deceased members. Additionally, it provides a 13th month pension every December and a funeral grant to assist with funeral expenses. Medicare benefits are also available, ensuring continued support for qualified dependents.
Purpose: To provide financial assistance to the beneficiaries of deceased PhilHealth members, covering funeral expenses and ensuring ongoing benefits for qualified dependents.
Benefits:
- Lump sum death benefit: P200,000
- 13th month pension paid in December
- Funeral grant for funeral expenses
- Medicare benefits for eligible dependents
- Dependents can maintain coverage based on the last premium payment before the member’s death.
- Surviving spouses can extend coverage by completing a PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) and registering as the principal member.
13. Senate Public Assistance Office (SPAO) Social Assistance
Provider: Senate Public Assistance Office (SPAO)
The Senate Public Assistance Office (SPAO) offers various forms of social assistance to individuals in need. This program facilitates access to essential services, including legal, transportation, burial, educational, medical, and support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Interested applicants must complete a specific form and provide the necessary documentation via email or drop box.
Purpose: To provide financial and support assistance to individuals facing legal, transportation, burial, educational, medical, and OFW-related challenges.
Benefits:
- Burial Assistance:
- Email: burialspaosas@gmail.com
- Requirements: Death certificate, funeral contract, social case study, optional promissory note, 1 valid government ID of a family member of the deceased.
- Submission Options:
- Applications can be submitted via designated email addresses or through a drop box at the Senate entrance gate. For more information, contact senatespaosas@gmail.com or call (02) 8552-6706.
14. Pag-IBIG Death Benefits
Provider: Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund)
Pag-IBIG provides death benefits to the legal heirs or beneficiaries of deceased Pag-IBIG members who had not claimed their Provident benefits while alive. The death benefit includes the Total Accumulated Value (TAV), which is the sum of the member’s contributions and dividends. The maximum death benefit amount is limited based on the member’s status at the time of death.
Purpose: To offer financial assistance to the beneficiaries of Pag-IBIG members after their passing, provided the member’s Provident benefits were not claimed during their lifetime.
Benefits:
- Maximum Death Benefit: PHP 6,000
- If the member was active at the time of death: PHP 6,000 death benefit regardless of TAV.
- If the member was inactive and TAV is less than PHP 6,000: Death benefit equals the TAV.
- If the member was inactive and TAV is PHP 6,000 or more: Death benefit is PHP 6,000.
Summary
Funeral and burial assistance programs generally provide the much-needed financial support to families during their time of loss, with each program catering to different needs and sectors of society. From general government-sponsored initiatives to targeted benefits for OFWs, senior citizens, and barangay officials, these programs help lessen the burden of funeral expenses. By offering a range of aid options, these programs ensure that families can focus on honoring and celebrating the life of their loved ones without facing overwhelming financial strain.