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1. Is there a COVID Funeral Assistance Benefit Program?

On April 12, 2021 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began accepting applications for its Funeral Assistance Program. The funding for this program was included in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations act of 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program allows for funeral assistance for any COVID-19 related death after January 20, 2020. The program will assist with expenses up to $9,000 per funeral, up to a maximum of $35,000 if applicants are applying for assistance related to more than one death.

Here are some key points about the program:

• FEMA's call center can be reached Monday through Friday from 9 am to 9 pm. In eastern time, you can reach FEMA call center at their toll-free number at 844-684-6333, and through a teletypewriter (TTY) at 800-462-7585. The call center can take calls in multiple languages.
• There is currently no deadline to apply for this benefit.
• To be eligible for FEMA's funeral assistance benefit, you must meet these conditions:
• The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
• The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
• There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.
• The program is open to all who qualify, regardless of their income.

Resource: We've created a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance webpage with more information about the program, links to FEMA guidance, fact sheets in multiple languages, and information about obtaining or amending a death certificate in Massachusetts. We are sharing this information and asking our partners to do the same to help get the information to residents across the Commonwealth who may benefit from it.

As with other disaster assistance programs for individuals, FEMA is not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources. This is a program will be completely managed at the Federal level by FEMA, however the required documentation of a death certificate may involve government and other key stakeholders as the state and local level.

Ron O'Connor, MPH
Director, Office of Local and Regional Health
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Email Ron O'Connor

Lisa McCarthy-Licorish, MPH
Senior Coordinator, Local Health Communications
Office of Local and Regional Health
Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Email Lisa McCarthy-Licorish

Additional Resources

• COVID-19 Information for Local Boards of Health
• 24/7 Department of Public Health Epi Line for COVID-19 Case Support
• Massachusetts COVID-19 website
• Department of Public Health Website

2. Can I officiate a wedding ceremony for a friend or family member?

If you are not already authorized to officiate wedding ceremonies, you may apply for a one-day solemnization license. The Town of Danvers does not process these requests, please contact the State of Massachusetts.

3. How do I apply for a marriage license?

Both parties need to come to the Town Clerk's office during normal business hours.

• You will each need to show a picture ID
• There is a 3 day waiting period (day 1 is day after you appear)
• License is valid within 60 days from date of application
• $30 (cash, check, money order, or most credit cards with small fee), includes 1 certified copy which will be mailed after your wedding official returns your paperwork to the Clerk's Office.

4. How do I get a copy of a death certificate?

You first need to confirm your record is on file in Danvers. A death certificate is held in both the city/town of death and the city/town of last residence. If you have any question, please contact the Clerk's Office via email of the Town Clerk or call 978-777-0001, ext. 3053 or ext. 3051 to verify.

Any refund for incorrect orders can take up to 30 days.

You may obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate by ordering online through UniPay, by visiting the Office of the Town Clerk during normal business hours or by mailing your request along with the $10 fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Town Clerk, Danvers Town Hall, 1 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923.

5. How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

You first need to confirm your record is on file in Danvers. Birth records are held in the city / town of birth and the city / town the parents lived at the time of birth. If you have any question, please contact the Clerk's Office via email of the Town Clerk or call 978-777-0001, ext. 3053, or ext. 3051 to verify.

Any refund for incorrect orders can take up to 30 days.

You may obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate by ordering online through UniPay, by visiting the Office of the Town Clerk during normal business hours or by mailing your request along with the $10 fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Town Clerk, Danvers Town Hall, 1 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923.

6. How do I get a copy of my marriage certificate?

You first need to confirm your record is on file in Danvers. Marriage records are only held in the city/town you applied for your license when you got married not the city/town you got married in. If you have any question, please contact the Clerk's Office via email of the Town Clerk or call 978-777-0001, ext. 3053 or ext. 3051 to verify.

Any refund for incorrect orders can take up to 30 days.

You may obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate by ordering online through UniPay, by visiting the Office of the Town Clerk during normal business hours or by mailing your request along with the $10 fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Town Clerk, Danvers Town Hall, 1 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923.