Mask Mandates in Effect

As of February 16, 2022, all mask mandates have been lifted. No mandates are currently in effect.

Always check with your local Health Department for specific instructions

Statewide COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Portal

As of January 28, 2021, DHHS announced the Covid-19 Vaccine Registration Portal is open. Go to https://vaccinate.ne.gov/ to register. The Portal is open to the general public but asks questions about employment and medical conditions that will prioritize individuals.

Statewide COVID-19 Testing

On April 21, Governor Ricketts announced a new initiative to dramatically increase COVID-19 testing in the coming weeks. Visit www.testnebraska.com to complete an assessment to determine your current risk. Using the data collected in the assessment, people will be prioritized and if chosen you will be confirmed a time slot for testing at a drive-through location.

Nebraska Directed Health Measures Expired

All current DHMs expired on May 25, 2021. Check with your local health department for any specific requirements. Click here to view previous DHMs.

List by name and contacts / Map of Local Health Departments

FEMA Issues Policy for COVID Funeral Reimbursement

On June 29, 2021, FEMA amended the agency’s COVID-19 funeral assistance policy to assist with COVID-19 related deaths that occurred between January 20 and May 16, 2020.

Applicants who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses between January 20 and May 16, 2020, will be able to submit a death certificate that does not attribute the death to COVID-19 along with a signed statement from the certifying official listed on the death certificate, coroner, or medical examiner linking the death to COVID-19. The written statement must show causal pathway, or an explanation, linking the cause of death listed on the death certificate to the virus and should be submitted with the death certificate.

Read the amended policy

Read the FAQs

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number

Applications began on April 12, 2021

No Deadline to Apply

844-684-6333 / TTY: 800-462-7585

Hours of Operation:

Monday-Friday

8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time

FEMA has posted an educational video you can share with families. Click here to view. The video is about 10 minutes in length. It provides an overview of the COVID-19 Funeral Reimbursement program and how the application process is handled; including the initial application phone call and the document upload process.

Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress authorized FEMA to provide financial assistance to individuals who incurred COVID-19-related funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.

FEMA shared that the maximum financial assistance will now be $9,000 per funeral and a Maximum of $35,500 per applicant per state, territory, or the District of Columbia. Funds will be received either by check via mail or direct deposit, applicants will choose with option when applying.

On April 12, 2021, FEMA began accepting applications. A dedicated toll-free phone number (844-684-6333) will be available to complete an application. No online applications will be accepted. Once an applicant has applied for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance they will be provided an application number and then supporting documentation will be submitted by uploading, faxing or mailing requested documents.

Additionally, FEMA will only award COVID-19 Funeral Assistance for a deceased individual on a single application. If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should register under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. The applicant or co-applicant must have incurred the funeral expenses. The deceased individual’s documentation status is not considered as part of the reimbursement process, but the applicant(s) must be U.S. citizens, legal residents, asylees, refugees, or non-citizen nationals.

Now is the time for families to decide who the applicant and any co-applicants will be and to gather the documents they need to be reimbursed for expenses.

Specifically, the applicant must provide the following documents:

  1. An official death certificate. The death certificate must indicate the death "may have been caused by" or "was likely a result of" COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are also considered sufficient. The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

  2. Proof of funeral expenses incurred. Documentation (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) must include the applicant's name as the responsible person for the expense, the deceased individual's name, the amount of funeral expenses, and that funeral expenses were incurred after January 20, 2020.

  3. Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. FEMA is not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources. If they received financial assistance through the deceased’s life insurance policy, they may still apply for reimbursement.

Eligible funeral expenses include but are not limited to:

  • Transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual

  • Transfer of remains

  • Casket or urn

  • Burial plot or cremation niche

  • Marker or headstone

  • Clergy or officiant services

  • Arrangement of the funeral ceremony

  • Use of funeral home equipment or staff

  • Cremation or interment costs

  • Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates

  • Additional expenses mandated by any applicable local or state government laws or ordinances.

If applicants already received reimbursement for certain funeral expenses through government agencies, voluntary agencies, non-profits, burial or funeral insurance, they cannot resubmit those same expenses for reimbursement through this FEMA-administered program. If they received any outside assistance, they must include documentation of this assistance in their application. If they received financial assistance through the deceased’s life insurance policy, they may still apply for reimbursement.

Please review this information carefully so you can be prepared to provide information and technical assistance to families and friends of the deceased who may be eligible.

Click here to access the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance webpage (resources on this page are available in multiple languages)

Click here to access the FEMA Funeral Assistance FAQ

FEMA will not contact anyone until they have called FEMA or have applied for assistance. Tell families not to disclose information such as the name, birth date or social security number of any deceased family member to any unsolicited telephone calls or e-mails from anyone claiming to be a federal employee or from FEMA. If there is a doubt about a FEMA representative being legitimate, hang up the phone and report it to the FEMA Hotline at 800-621-3362 or the National Center for Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721. Complaints also may be made by contacting local law enforcement.

Options for Obtaining PPE

Public Health DepartmentsWe recommend that you contact your local Health Department’s Emergency Response Coordinator for PPE, Disaster Bags, and Medical Examiner Bags for possible fatalities due to the COVID 19 global pandemic.

To request PPE: Complete the PPE Needs Form and submit to your local Health Department’s Emergency Response Coordinator.

Click here to download the PPE Needs Form. Click here for a listing of local Health Departments.

Vendors - NeFDA does not endorse these vendors companies.
TNG Worldwide

To place an order contact Lisa directly.
Lisa BessettePhone Number: (949) 735-1969Email: lbessette@tngworldwide.com

Click here for the full supply list, with cost and availability. Updated July 30, 2020
Click here to view flyer

Neutron Industries They have several disinfecting products available. Click here for a list of their products that are on the EPA’s List N for COVID-19. Click here for a supply list, with cost and availability, as of August 7, 2020.

Discover Disinfectant Total Release Foggers available to ship immediately! These are certified for COVID-19 as well as a long laundry list of virus AND bacteria. Place in center of room, set them off, leave in room for 2 hours with doors and windows shut for total disinfecting of rooms, banquet areas, gym areas, etc. Case of 12 cans for $155, Item Number 121222-12, *4 case max

To place an order contact Joell directly.
Joell Golladay
Phone Number: (602) 357-3838
Email: jharmon@neutronindustries.com
Visit their website at neutronindustries.com

Earthshade - based in Elkhorn, NE
PPE gowns - $2.95 each each including shipping for quantities over 12
Personal Face Shields - $6.95 each including shipping for quantities over 12

Call 413.528.5443 or email info@earthshade.com with orders or questions.
Click here for more information

Spirit Sanitizer Click here for product list. Click here for FDA documentation. Same day order processing with an average 3-7 business day turnaround.

To place an order contact Sam O’Donnell directly
Sam O’Donnell
Phone Number: (503) 329-8753
Email: sam@spiritsanitizer.com
Website: spiritsanitizer.com

DiscountMugs - Click here for product list

Quality Logo Products - Click here for product list

Resources Shared By NeFDA Members

PPE Donning Step-by-Step Guide from UNMC
PPE Doffing Step-by-Step Guide from UNMC
PPE Donning and Doffing: CDC Sequence for COVID-19 video
Video - Lincoln Protocol for Removal/Body Wrapping - an example of the Lincoln hospitals protocol for COVID-19 transferring
Video - How to embalm with COVID-19
NHA letter sent to Nebraska hospital CEO’s regarding transferring and death certificates

Other Resources

Tele-health and Online Mental Health resources



CDC Coronavirus Guidance for Funeral Directors

CDC Guidance on Death Certificates

The CDC's has offered guidance for completing a death certificate of  a COVID-19 death. You may download it here: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvss/vsrg/vsrg03-508.pdf 

On April 16, 2020, the CDC hosted a webinar on completing the death certificate for COVID-19 deaths. You may watch a recording here: https://emergency.cdc.gov/coca/calls/2020/callinfo_041620.asp

Visit NFDA COVID-19 website for Essential Guidance and Breaking News

On March 19, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued guidance to states naming mortuary workers as “critical infrastructure workers. Many states have adopted the DHS recommendations. One thing this order suggests is that critical infrastructure worker should be exempt from “shelter-in-place” mandates.

Because states are adopting “shelter-in-place” or “safer at home” mandates, NFDA has prepared a Certification of Employment document you can show to authorities verifying your status as a critical infrastructure worker.

This Certification of Employment document should be printed on funeral home letterhead, filled out completely, and signed by an owner or manager of the funeral home.

NFDA Recommendation: Do Not Use Facebook or YouTube to Livestream Funerals or to Post Recordings of Funerals

Facebook and YouTube have entered into lawsuit settlements with music companies that prevent them from allowing some copyrighted music to be played over their systems. The blocking and muting is done by algorithms. Even though a member has a webcasting license to stream the music in their funeral over the web, Facebook and YouTube will mute it. If the user continues to stream the copyrighted music over their systems, eventually they will block the user from using the system. 

NFDA worked on this issue several weeks ago and was unable to get Facebook to engineer a change. They claimed they were precluded from doing so because of the prior settlement agreements. NFDA advises members use their own websites, or other streaming tools such as Zoom, Vimeo, or other commercial services, which do not have these copyright issues, to stream funerals. NFDA has been notified of the “muting” problem that funeral homes are experiencing when streaming funerals over Facebook. We have been in contact with a BMI representative who explains that several years ago Facebook entered into agreements with song producers to resolve copyright infringement claims. These agreements require Facebook to mute streamings that are broadcast over the Facebook platform if the streaming includes music belonging to the songwriters. He further explained that BMI, ASCAP and SESAC are not parties to these agreements and have no way to modify them. In addition, Facebook cannot modify them unilaterally. So, unfortunately, there is no way to solve the muting problems with Facebook.

In addition to webcasting vendors (find a list here), here are a few articles with alternatives for livestreaming: 

For more information regarding Music Webcasting Licenses, click here to view the NFDA website.

Visit NFDA Practical Guidance Webinars page for a special message Wally Hooker on transferring bodies when the medical examiner/coroner has not performed his or her investigation.

Check out articles from experts:  

Dr. Alan Wolfelt: Dealing With Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic 

Glenda Stansbury, InSight Institute: Ceremonies to Celebrate Together From Afar: A Resource for Challenging Times 

Dan Katz, L.A. Ads: Positioning Your Funeral or Cemetery Business In The Age of COVID-19     

Graveside Service Recommendations from the National Concrete Burial Vault Association (May 21, 2020)

As states begin revising their executive orders and slowly lifting restrictions, our colleagues at the National Concrete Burial Vault Association have adjusted their graveside service equipment recommendations. The NCVBA reminds you that you should comply with all state and local mandates when setting up graveside services. You can find the updated guidance here.

You know your business operations best and, with your staff, can develop a plan to action to help families commemorate the life of their loved ones in a safe manner that is consistent with federal, state and local guidance.

Notice from VA National Cemetery Administration posted June 5, 2020

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries will resume committal services starting June 9 in all but two VA national cemeteries, Calverton and Long Island.

VA national cemeteries will contact families who were unable to hold a committal service due to the COVID-19 pandemic (March 23 - June 8) to arrange memorial services for their loved ones beginning in July.  

Interments scheduled on or after June 9, will be offered the option of a committal service at the time of interment. At Calverton and Long Island national cemeteries, that option will be available starting June 22, provided state and local guidance permit.  Military funeral honors, customarily provided by the Department of Defense and volunteer honor guards, will be based on local availability.   

VA national cemeteries will continue adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by limiting the number of individuals attending committal services, practicing physical distancing between individuals not from the same household, ensuring all attendees and employees wear face coverings, encouraging frequent use of hand sanitizer and asking sick individuals to stay home. The number of permitted attendees will vary based on state and local guidelines for gathering sizes provided the facility can accommodate increased attendees while maintaining physical distancing. Families may continue to choose direct interment and opt for a memorial service later when all restrictions have been lifted.  

As warranted, NCA will provide updates on the operating status of individual national cemeteries on our social media pages:  https://www.facebook.com/NationalCemeteries and https://twitter.com/VANatCemeteries