Burial Program

The Choctaw Nation has options available for funeral assistance.

Eligibility

• Tribal Burial (up to $2500)
• Applicants must notify the Tribal Burial Program at time of death.
• The application must be received within 30 days of passing.
• Applicants must provide the following:
  • Copy of the deceased member's Choctaw CDIB and tribal membership card (verified thru our membership department)
  • Copy of the deceased member's Social Security card
  • Finalized, official copy of the death certificate (not pending)
  • Itemized billing statement (invoice) and current W-9 statement from vendor
• This is not an entitlement program, and reimbursements are not allowed. Services will be denied if resources are available or paid in full.
• Supplemental Program (up to $500)
• The deceased must be a U.S. resident who passed away after October 1, 2022.
• Applicants must notify our office no more than 30 days after death.
• Applicants must provide the following:
  • Copy of the deceased member's Choctaw CDIB and tribal membership card (verified thru our membership department)
  • Copy of the deceased member's Social Security card
  • Finalized, official copy of the death certificate (not pending)
  • Itemized billing statement (invoice) and current W-9 statement from vendor
• The vendor(s) will be paid directly.
• This is not an entitlement program, and reimbursements are not allowed. Services will be denied if resources are available or paid in full.
• This benefit can be used as a standalone or in-addition to the tribal burial program but cannot be used with the BIA program.
• BIA Burial
• The deceased must:
  • Have lived within the Choctaw Nation service area at least six months prior to death
  • Be a member of any federally recognized tribe, verifed by an active tribal membership card or letter, CDIB card and social security card
  • Be indigent, with no other resources available (insurance, veteran's benefits, cash over $1,000 saving accounts, IIM account monies, victim assistance program or other state and federal assistance programs, etc.)
• Applicants may be asked to provide any of the following verification documents:
  • Income or pay stubs
  • Bank statements
  • Benefit checks
  • Savings accounts
  • Award letters
  • Address verification
  • Copy of certified death certificate
  • Other documents as needed
• Applications can be filed up to 180 days after death
• This program cannot be used in conjuction with other tribal burial programs.

Additional Information

Payments are issued directly to the funeral home, no reimbursements are allowed. If an invoice is paid in full, program eligibility is voided.