DO NOT DELETE THE "EMPTY" SECTION CONTROL BELOW THIS. IT CONTAINS THE GHOST OF CLARA BARTON.
Thank you for visiting the Virtual Family Assistance Center. Now that the pandemic phase of Covid-19 has ended, our team's mission is changing and we will no longer be providing the call center and other services. We hope that the resources still available here will be helpful to you.
Our team recognizes the challenges and emotional difficulties that you may be experiencing at this time. We extend our most sincere sympathy if you have experienced the loss of a loved one.
Grieving is always difficult, and we recognize the COVID-19 pandemic creates additional challenges and needs. The Virtual Family Assistance Center Call Center is available to provide emotional support and to assist you in finding the resources that you need. Please contact the organizations listed on this page, request a call back or call us directly to explore options.
If you have questions, please contact us at VFAC@redcross.org.
Language services for non-English speaking callers will be provided.
Call 911 immediately if you have a critical medical emergency, are thinking about suicide or know someone engaged in suicidal behavior.
Disaster Distress Helpline: call or text 800-985-5990
This 24/7 national hotline provides immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any disaster or COVID-19.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
This 24/7, free and confidential hotline provides support for people in distress, and prevention and crisis resources.
Request a call from the Red Cross by clicking the red button below.
One of our volunteers, who can help you navigate available resources to get what you need, will call you back. Our team includes volunteers trained in:
Request a call back to talk!
This free service helps frontline workers cope with the stress of working with families affected by COVID 19. Individuals may call our tollfree number 833-492-0094 or groups may schedule a support session using the Training Request Form. Red Cross volunteers who are professional healthcare providers, mental health providers and spiritual care providers will work with the individual directly or can schedule a group support session. All services are free and confidential. You are not alone!
This tool can also be used to find resources to meet other needs your family may have, by searching for keywords such as food or homeless shelter.
FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Call our toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application completed with help from FEMA's representatives. Multilingual services will be available. Please try again later if you get a busy signal or your call doesn’t connect. There is no deadline to apply.
This 24/7 national hotline provides immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any disaster or COVID-19.
FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Call our toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application completed with help from FEMA's representatives. Multilingual services will be available. Please try again later if you get a busy signal or your call doesn’t connect. There is no deadline to apply.
Emotional Support and Grief Counseling
Organizations that can offer emotional support to people who are grieving, or resources for those struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues.
Amedisys Hospice
Hospice Care and End-of-Life Care
304-292-4868
Carson's Village
Carson’s Village provides support for families who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and need assistance, resources and referrals for planning a funeral or cremation, as well as support for long-term healthy grieving. We do not provide funding for a funeral but can help with financial management and fundraising during the process.
1-877-789-0722
Because I Said I Would
Because I Said I Would is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. We are launching a new Unemployment Transition Program for COVID-19 Job Loss which aims to improve mental health outcomes by providing individuals with skills training that builds resiliency and leads to life-sustaining employment. As part of the program, we are also seeking families who have lost someone to COVID-19 to be recipients for our service projects.
(216) 226-3770
https://becauseisaidiwould.org/unemployment/ AND https://becauseisaidiwould.org/bereavement/
Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
When a Loved One Dies From COVID-19 – Document
1-330-379-5094
https://www.cstsonline.org/assets/media/documents/CSTS_FS_When_a_Loved_One_Dies_from_COVID19.pdf
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
Supporting Grieving Students During a Pandemic – Resources and a guide to using the Coalition to Support Grieving Students materials.
1-877-53-NCSCB (1-877-536-2722)
https://www.schoolcrisiscenter.org/resources/covid-19-pandemic-resources/
Columbia University Department of Psychiatry
This is a collection of mental health resources for children, adolescents and adults.
Consoleum, LLC
Navigating the uncharted and fluid changes thrust upon Funeral Directors by COVID-19 can feel overwhelming. How is this industry to lessen the risk to society by limiting face to face interactions, especially for those in higher-risk categories – the elderly or those immunocompromised, while at the same time providing a service honoring the life of the deceased? The funeral industry is in a precarious situation attempting to balance the need to say final good-byes and at the same time protecting the health of those left behind. Death stops for no one. Quarantine and pandemic are no exception. Allowing for communal grief while at the same time adhering to the guidelines of medical professionals and our national, state, and local governments becomes essential.
419-513-2255
Coronavirus Online Therapy
Coronavirus Online Therapy, an initiative of Therapy Aid Coalition, mission is to deliver free or low-cost online therapy by licensed professionals in all 50 states to essential workers and their families during the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.coronavirusonlinetherapy.org/
Drug Rehab Services
We have a web page on our site dedicated to the ones who need Treatment but have concerns about COVID19 "HOW DO I KNOW IF A TREATMENT CENTER IS PREPARED FOR COVID-19?"
800-304-2219
https://www.addicted.org/how-do-i-know-if-a-treatment-center-is-prepared-for-covid-19.html
Give an Hour
Resources for your emotional health as well as your physical health.
https://giveanhour.org/coronavirus-resources/
Grief Anonymous
Grief Support Groups
GriefShare
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
800-395-5755
How Right Now
How Right Now aims to address people’s feelings of grief, loss and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
IOCC, in the spirit of Christ's love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so response. We envision that, by God's grace, IOCC will enable those suffering and in need to continue to improve their own lives and communities and to have means to live with dignity, respect, and hope. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC and its partners have provided more than $715 million in relief and self-help programs to people in more than 60 countries. Current programs focus on emergency relief, agriculture and food security, education, health, water and sanitation, and economic opportunity in places including Ethiopia, Greece, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, United States, and the Western Balkans.
410-243-9820
Medicare Hospice Compare
Find hospices that serve your area and compare them based on the quality of care they provide. Many hospices provide bereavement and spiritual care support even though you did not use their end of life services.
1-800-Medicare TTY 1-877-486-2048
https://www.medicare.gov/hospicecompare/
Military OneSource
Provides 24/7 resources by phone & online for currently serving military and veterans for one year after separation. Provides free non-medical and financial counseling, MilSpouse employment and transition assistance, specialty consultations and orderable materials at no cost. Funded by DoD.
800-342-9647
Miracle Messages
Miracle Messages helps people experiencing homelessness reconnect with loved ones. During COVID, many people are concerned about the well-being of loved ones, and unhoused individuals may want to reconnect with loved ones (and, in some cases, return home to shelter-in-place with family). Miracle Messages provides volunteers who will search for and communicate with loved ones on behalf of the unhoused individual.
1-800-647-7968
https://www.miraclemessages.org/
My Grief Angels
FREE English and Español Grief Support Video Group Meetings For & By People Grieving the Loss of Loved Ones to the Coronavirus Pandemic
https://griefsupportonline.com/
Nami (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Covid-19 Resource and Information Guide plus helpline that works to refer people who are suffering from mental illness to needed resources.
NAMI HelpLine (800) 950-6264
https://www.nami.org/covid-19-guide
National Veterans Foundation
Information and Crisis Hotline for all Veterans and their families
888-777-4443
https://nvf.org/the-nvfs-responds-to-covid-19/
SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Find help and treatment
SAMHSA’s National Helpline – 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Soaring Spirits International
As a nonprofit that provides peer-based programs, resources, and community for those who are widowed, our COVID-related services include twice weekly Zoom calls to help widowed people connect with one another during this time of social distancing and isolation, as well as a document center where they can find common reactions to sudden loss and grief, blog posts written by our newly widowed authors, and programs to help them feel understood and validated in their grief. We will also be offering a virtual Camp Widow® event in November to help our widowed community as they face the challenges of the holidays during a socially distanced time. Being widowed is an isolating experience to begin with (let alone during a pandemic), and our virtual programs continue to grow to support those who are grieving the loss of their love person either by COVID, or during the time of COVID.
877-671-4071
TAPS
TAPS provides comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one.
CALL 24/7 800-959-TAPS (8277)
https://www.taps.org/griefcounseling
Veterans Crisis Line and Additional Information (US Department of Veterans Affairs)
If you are a veteran or concerned about a veteran, the Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.
1-800-273-8255 and Press 1.
Veterans Mental Health Support Information
Counseling and crisis assistance for veterans.
Hotline: 800-273-8255 Press 1
https://www.veteranscrisisline.net (includes chat function)
Faith-Based Resources
Organizations that can help meet spiritual, social, and cultural needs during this challenging time.
Amedisys Hospice
Hospice Care and End-of-Life Care
304-292-4868
Family Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Compassionate counseling professionals provide urgent care telesupport to help individuals and families connect with assistance and resources. The best way to find contact information for a local Family Services office is to go to this website: https://providentliving.churchofjesuschrist.org/lds-family-services/find-an-office?lang=eng
GriefShare
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.
800-395-5755
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
IOCC, in the spirit of Christ's love, offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so response. We envision that, by God's grace, IOCC will enable those suffering and in need to continue to improve their own lives and communities and to have means to live with dignity, respect, and hope. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC and its partners have provided more than $715 million in relief and self-help programs to people in more than 60 countries. Current programs focus on emergency relief, agriculture and food security, education, health, water and sanitation, and economic opportunity in places including Ethiopia, Greece, Syria, Tanzania, Uganda, United States, and the Western Balkans.
410-243-9820
Medicare Hospice Compare
Find hospices that serve your area and compare them based on the quality of care they provide. Many hospices provide bereavement and spiritual care support even though you did not use their end of life services.
1-800-Medicare TTY 1-877-486-2048
Funeral Information
Organizations that can help answer questions about laying your loved one to rest, including current guidelines for holding funerals and memorials.
Amedisys Hospice
Hospice Care and End-of-Life Care
304-292-4868
Carson's Village
Carson’s Village provides support for families who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and need assistance, resources and referrals for planning a funeral or cremation, as well as support for long-term healthy grieving. We do not provide funding for a funeral but can help with financial management and fundraising during the process.
1-877-789-0722
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Guidance for individuals and families as they work with funeral directors, community and religious leaders, and others to plan and hold funeral services and visitations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Consoleum, LLC
Navigating the uncharted and fluid changes thrust upon Funeral Directors by COVID-19 can feel overwhelming. How is this industry to lessen the risk to society by limiting face to face interactions, especially for those in higher-risk categories – the elderly or those immunocompromised, while at the same time providing a service honoring the life of the deceased? The funeral industry is in a precarious situation attempting to balance the need to say final good-byes and at the same time protecting the health of those left behind. Death stops for no one. Quarantine and pandemic are no exception. Allowing for communal grief while at the same time adhering to the guidelines of medical professionals and our national, state, and local governments becomes essential.
419-513-2255
FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Call our toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application completed with help from FEMA's representatives. Multilingual services will be available. Please try again later if you get a busy signal or your call doesn’t connect. There is no deadline to apply.
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585
Final Farewell
Helps families provide an affordable funeral for a loved child. We provide financial assistance, advice and guidance.
The Funeral Service Foundation
The Funeral Service Foundation provides free copies of "Grieving Alone & Together: Responding to the loss of your loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic," a 12-page booklet for families. Individual copies can be ordered through RememberingALife.com; multiple copies for use by organizations can be ordered at FuneralServiceFoundation.org. The Funeral Service Foundation offers resources and grants to organizations that support funeral service professionals in building meaningful relationships with families and communities, especially around the areas of grief and loss. The Foundation also awards scholarships to funeral service students and professionals at all stages of their careers. We do not provide funding for individual funerals, burials, cremations or memorial services.
Holly Pruett Life-Cycle Celebrant
Ritual and ceremony can help you honor a loved one's death, connect with others to support the dying and their community, and engage meaningfully with the grief of these times - even with the restrictions of physical distancing. Working from my home, I can partner with you to: design and lead "virtual" funerals and memorials using online connection platforms; write meaningful, memorable eulogies and obituaries; educate your family on safely caring for your loved one after death at home, including slowing down to mark the moment, body care, and current green burial and cremation options; involve your family and community in creating rituals to serve your needs at this time, with or without the support of technology; and plan rituals of remembrance or memorial ceremonies for a future time.
503-348-0967
http://www.hollypruettcelebrant.com/blog/funeral-celebrant-services-in-the-time-of-pandemic
National Funeral Directors Association
The National Funeral Directors Association is the world’s leading, largest and most trusted association to support funeral professionals. We provide our members with critical information, innovative tools, resources and the professional community they need to serve families, run sustainable businesses and become pillars in our communities.
National Veterans Foundation
Information and Crisis Hotline for all Veterans and their families
888-777-4443
Remembering a Life
Remembering A Life educates individuals and families about funerals, grief and honoring a loved one in meaningful ways. Resources include Information about holding a funeral during the COVID-19 pandemic and a nationwide directory of National Funeral Directors Association member funeral homes. Also, request a free copy of "Grieving Alone and Together: Responding to the Loss of Your Loved One during the COVID-19 Pandemic."
800-228-6332
Sacramento Valley National Cemetery
We offer interment services to all eligible Veterans and their families. We also provide information families will need to know in order to have their loved one placed in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.
707 693-2460
We're in this together Erika's Light House
Veterans Burial Services
844- SERV-VET
Legal Resources
Organizations that may provide legal advice at no cost or low cost.
Military OneSource
Provides 24/7 resources by phone & online for currently serving military and veterans for one year after separation. Provides free non-medical and financial counseling, MilSpouse employment and transition assistance, specialty consultations and orderable materials at no cost. Funded by DoD.
800-342-9647
Financial Information Services
Information, resources and services related to the financial consequences of losing a loved one due to COVID-19.
American Financial Solutions
American Financial Solutions is a division of the North Seattle Community College Foundation, a non-profit organization. We provide budget, debt and credit counseling services.
866-732-3511
https://www.myfinancialgoals.org/covid-19
Army Emergency Relief
Financial Assistance for Army members
866-878-6378 or call Red Cross SAF at 877-272-7337
https://www.armyemergencyrelief.org/covid19/
Aunt Bertha The Social Care Network
Search for free or reduced cost services like medical care, food, job training, and more.
Because I Said I Would
Because I Said I Would is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the betterment of humanity through promises made and kept. We are launching a new Unemployment Transition Program for COVID-19 Job Loss which aims to improve mental health outcomes by providing individuals with skills training that builds resiliency and leads to life-sustaining employment. As part of the program, we are also seeking families who have lost someone to COVID-19 to be recipients for our service projects.
(216) 226-3770
https://becauseisaidiwould.org/unemployment/ AND https://becauseisaidiwould.org/bereavement/
The Brave of Heart Fund
The Fund is designed to provide financial support in the form of charitable relief grants to support the families of healthcare workers who lose their lives to COVID-19.
https://www.braveofheartfund.com/
CARES Act
The CARES Act was passed by the Federal Government to provide financial support to citizens while they are being affected by the virus. The attached link allows the client to check the status of that payment.
800-829-1040
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
Carson's Village
Carson’s Village provides support for families who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and need assistance, resources and referrals for planning a funeral or cremation, as well as support for long-term healthy grieving. We do not provide funding for a funeral but can help with financial management and fundraising during the process.
1-877-789-0722
Covid-19 Healthwell Foundation
Assistance with costs associated with delivered food, medication, diagnostics, transportation and telehealth as a result of COVID-19 risk or incidence.
(800) 675-8416
https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/fund/covid-19-fund/
DAV
There are thousands of disabled veterans in need, and DAV is here to help. In response to this unprecedented event, we are establishing a COVID-19 Relief Fund to provide help to service-connected disabled veterans who have lost employment.
1-888-604-0234 (Local Telephone numbers are available on website)
https://www.dav.org/covidrelief/
Healthcare.gov - Marketplace coverage & Coronavirus
You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period or a change in Marketplace plan if COVID-19 impacts your income, existing health insurance or household.
1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325)
https://www.healthcare.gov/coronavirus
Healthwell Foundation
COVID-19 Insurance Premium Payment Assistance Fund.
(800) 675-8416
https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/fund/covid-19-insurance-premium-payment-assistance/
Military OneSource
Provides 24/7 resources by phone & online for currently serving military and veterans for one year after separation. Provides free non-medical and financial counseling, MilSpouse employment and transition assistance, specialty consultations and orderable materials at no cost. Funded by DoD.
800-342-9647
National Veterans Foundation
Information and Crisis Hotline for all Veterans and their families
888-777-4443
https://nvf.org/the-nvfs-responds-to-covid-19/
Navy Marine Corp Relief Society
Financial assistance for Navy and Marine Corp members
(800)-654-8364 or call Red Cross SAF at 877-272-7337
NeedyMeds
National non-profit that connects people to programs that will help them afford their medications and other healthcare costs - offering national COVID-19 services programs.
HELPLINE: 1-800-503-6897
Navicore Solutions
Navicore Solutions is a national leader in the field of nonprofit financial counseling
800-992-4557
One Fair Wage
Emergency cash relief to tipped and service workers
1877ONEWAGE
Faced with the financial reality of job loss, business interruption, credit issues, and debt, affected Americans need the support of HOPE Inside Disaster, HOPE's division for disaster preparedness and recovery. HOPE Inside Disaster is the only financial emergency preparedness and recovery service in the country. Operation HOPE pioneered the new federal policy space of emergency disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Our teams assist in response to federally-declared disasters to serve as a financial advocate for local residents and small business owners.
Pandemic of Love
Pandemic of Love is a grassroots, mutual aid organization with chapters all over the country. Our mission is to provide financial assistance to individuals and families impacted by COVID-19. That assistance comes through a direct match with a donor who directly transfers funds to the recipient or pays a bill(s) for them to help alleviate suffering and a burden in some way. Our donors most often assist with things like rent, utility payments, cell phone bills, health insurance premiums, medical bills, funeral costs and groceries/essentials.
https://www.pandemicoflove.com/
Social Security Administration
How Social Security can help you when a family member dies (Available in English and Spanish)
1-800-772-1213 or TTY 1-800-325-0778 if you are deaf or hard of hearing
Veterans' Assistance
Organizations that assist Veterans and their families, including burial and memorial benefits and dependent and survivor benefits.
Amedisys Hospice
Hospice Care and End-of-Life Care
304-292-4868
American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces
Provides information and referrals, resiliency workshops, advocacy and support to military members, veterans and their families.
DAV
There are thousands of disabled veterans in need, and DAV is here to help. In response to this unprecedented event, we are establishing a COVID-19 Relief Fund to provide help to service-connected disabled veterans who have lost employment.
1-888-604-0234 (Local Telephone numbers are available on website)
Military OneSource
Provides 24/7 resources by phone & online for currently serving military and veterans for one year after separation. Provides free non-medical and financial counseling, MilSpouse employment and transition assistance, specialty consultations and orderable materials at no cost. Funded by DoD.
800-342-9647
National Veterans Foundation
Information and Crisis Hotline for all Veterans and their families
888-777-4443
https://nvf.org/the-nvfs-responds-to-covid-19/
Sacramento Valley National Cemetery
We offer interment services to all eligible Veterans and their families. We also provide information families will need to know in order to have their loved one placed in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery.
707 693-2460
TAPS
TAPS provides comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one.
CALL 24/7 800-959-TAPS (8277)
US Department of Veterans Affairs
National Cemetery Administration
1-844-698-2311 TTY: 711
Veterans Crisis Line
If you are a veteran or concerned about a veteran, the Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource available to anyone, even if you’re not registered with VA or enrolled in VA health care.
1-800-273-8255 and Press 1
Veterans Mental Health Support Information
Counseling and crisis assistance for veterans.
Hotline: 800-273-8255 Press 1 (includes chat function)
We're in this together Erika's Light House
Veterans Burial Services
844- SERV-VET
The Red Cross understands that the COVID-19 pandemic is putting stress on the entire community – family and friends, caregivers, coworkers, neighbors and more. Our targeted psychological first aid training programs, conducted by mental health professionals, can help you cope with added stress, foster resiliency and encourage peer support. These no-cost courses are approximately two hours in length and can be adapted for local community needs.
Coping in Today’s World, Psychological First Aid and Resilience for Families, Friends and Neighbors helps community members learn ways to increase their psychological resilience and become better able to cope with the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This free course teaches participants to provide psychological first aid for adults and children, with a toolkit of strategies for immediate support. The course also provides resource and referral information for when someone may need extra help from counselors or other healthcare professionals.
This course is appropriate for community groups such as PTAs, churches, scouting troops, sports teams, and other civic organizations.
Psychological First Aid: Helping Others in Times of Stress provides a framework for understanding the factors that affect stress responses in disaster relief workers and the people they serve.
This free course introduces the principles of psychological first aid and guidelines for when to refer people to mental health workers or counselors to provide an extra level of support. Participants learn how to support team members and others.
This course is appropriate for social service agencies, medical personnel, first responders, disaster relief organizations, educators, coroners, and other professional caregivers.
Resources to guide you through the legal, financial, and emotional steps you can take to find the support you need at this difficult time. Visit the Resources for Community Leaders page to download this guide in Arabic, Burmese, Hakha Chin, French or Spanish.